James Bauer Obituary

James (Jim) Levord Bauer M.D.

November 3, 1942 - August 23, 2024

Lexington, Kentucky - Bauer M.D., James Levord (Jim), Born in New York City, New York, one of five children, to Dr. Herman E. Bauer and Geniza Richmond Bauer on November 3, 1942. He graduated from Manhattan College, where he was on the basketball team and then attended New York Medical College from which he received his medical degree in 1968. Dr. Bauer interned at Yale University Hospital and completed his residency at New Jersey College of Medicine where he also headed the Blood Bank and served as associate Professor of Pathology.

After passing medical boards in Pathology in 1972, he and his wife and young family moved to Kentucky in 1974 to join the medical group, Chipps, Caffrey and Dubilier LLC /Pathology and Cytology Laboratories. As a member of P and C Labs, he worked as their Pathologist at St. Claire Hospital in Morehead, Kentucky and was instrumental in the founding of Gateway Hospice and served as its first President. The family enjoyed nine years of living in Morehead where he coached Little League Baseball, and they all made lifelong friends before moving to Lexington in 1983. Dr. Bauer worked at P and C's private lab in Lexington and served as president of their medical group for several years. In addition, he served as a volunteer for Surgery on Sunday. Dr. Bauer was known for dedication to his work, never leaving his office until all test results were read. Attending physicians admired his intellectual curiosity and willingness to always further discuss test results.

In his spare time, he enjoyed reading, fishing, gardening, chopping wood and riding his tractor on his mini farm. He bore his diagnosis of lung cancer with grace, strength and dignity and always expressed gratitude to his physicians and caregivers.

Dr. Bauer is survived by his wife of 55 years, Suzanne Jacques Bauer and three children: Christian James (Jean Chen) , Matthew James, and Nicole Phalen (Jeremy) and one grandson Darwin Joseph Chenbauer and two step grandchildren, Mackenzie and Carson Phalen , a brother Hank Bauer(Lorraine), a sister Clarice Suchy (Martin) , a sister-in-law Margaret Bauer and numerous nephews and nieces.

Visitation will be Thursday, August 29, 5:00-7:00pm at Milward's 1509 Trent Blvd., Lexington KY 40515 and a funeral mass Friday, August 30, at 10:00am at the Cathedral of Christ the King, 299 Colony Blvd. Lexington, KY 40502.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bluegrass Caregivers (Hospice of the Bluegrass) or Baptist Health (Central Baptist Hospital) or a charity of your choice.