Donald E. Baugher, Jr., 76, of La Porte, Ind., passed away Monday, Dec. 21, 2020.
He was born Dec. 5, 1944, in Warsaw, Ind., to Donald, Sr., and Carol (Blackford) Baugher.
In 1963 Don graduated from Warsaw Community High School. After graduating he joined the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky., where he was an air traffic controller. He then was stationed in Thailand, also as an air traffic controller, during the Vietnam War.
On Sept. 26, 1965, he married Angela Sensibaugh. They were married 55 years.
Don went on to finish his undergraduate degree at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn. Indiana University Bloomington was his next stop, where he went to law school.
Don began practicing law in La Porte in 1972 with Osborn and Lanigan, later Osborn, Lanigan, Roule and Baugher. Through the years he was dedicated to the city and county of La Porte. He served many positions over the years including county attorney, solid waste attorney, chief deputy prosecutor for La Porte County and La Porte County Fair Board. He finished his career as the city attorney. He served under Mayors Dennis Smith, Kathy Chroback, Leigh Morris and Blair Milo.
In 2012, Don retired. He and Angie traveled extensively, fulfilling their bucket list. Don was a well-loved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend. Any morning he could be found downtown having breakfast and coffee with an array of friends. Many mornings he would meet with two or three different groups while wearing his signature red hat.
Don is survived by his wife, Angela; their children, Robin Smith of New Carlisle, Ind., and Aaron Baugher of Willits, Calif.; grandchildren, Skye and Ella Smith, Nivek Holloway, and Olivia, Athelea and Rain Tobar; and brothers, Calvin (Kathy) Baugher of Warsaw, Ind., and Randy (Laura) Baugher of Rochester, Ind.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, at Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel, La Porte.
Those attending are asked to wear a mask and social distance.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP as well as at www.esslingfuneralhome.com.