Peter James "Jim" Baum

Peter James “Jim” Baum, 87, proud lifelong resident of Battle Creek, Michigan, died Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital. Jim resided at The Oaks of Battle Creek at NorthPointe Woods in Battle Creek, Michigan. Jim was born on May 10, 1937 to Joseph Edward “Ed” Baum and Helen Grace (Olson) Baum. Jim graduated from St. Philip Catholic Central High School with the class of 1955 and was a Fighting Tiger through and through. Jim attended Michigan State University and then the Insurance Institute of New York to obtain his Insurance Licensing in Personal, Commercial, and Life lines. He worked for his father at Baum Insurance Agency from 1957 until 1973 when he then bought the Agency. Jim owned the agency until 1985 when he sold the business and went briefly into the Travel business before deciding to sell real estate for the next 20 years. He spent most of his Real Estate career with the wonderful people at ReMax Perrett Realty where he forged many meaningful relationships that he cherished deeply. In 2010 he retired from real estate and re-entered the insurance world working with his son at the Baum-Johnson Insurance Agency where he worked until the end of 2023. 

Jim was a true steward of giving throughout his entire life as he was a founding member of the Cereal City Lions Club (65 years), the Battle Creek Ski Club (60+ years), Alcoholics Anonymous (40+ years), American Red Cross (30+ gallon donor), and Ft. Custer National Cemetery Honor Guard Member (40+ years). He held many positions within each club and didn't wait to be asked to lead and serve, he just stepped in and was ready to help. 

In addition to being a devout Catholic, Jim was a loyal lifelong Detroit Tiger fan, golfer, and skier. He’d made many trips to Detroit to root on his Tiger team and even made it to three opening day games. His history of skiing was legendary and all you had to do was ask him. He’d skied in Europe, Canada and all over Michigan and the US until the young age of 80. He also made it his mission to teach his children to ski and expose skiing to the visually impaired and blind through the Lions Club.

Jim was married to Judy (Wagman) Baum for 35 years and together they raised four children. Surviving Jim are his former wife, Judy Baum of Portage; his children, Deborah Harsha (Steve Thomas) of Vicksburg, Peter (Carrie) Baum of Battle Creek, Anna (Eric) Lyons of Kalamazoo, and Stephanie (Dennis) French of Portage. Also surviving are ten grandchildren, three bonus grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by siblings, Edward (Ana) Baum of Huntington Beach, California, Helen Casper of Madison, Wisconsin, MaryAnn (Gene) Haakonson of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Jack (Jackie) Baum of Aiken, South Carolina, and step-sister, Merle Nielson of Texas, along with many nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Helen (Olson) Baum; his father, Edward Baum; his step-mother, Zelma (Nielsen) Baum; and step-brother, Kenneth Nielsen. 

The family will receive friends 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, July 19, 2024 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek. A Lions Club presentation, time of sharing and the Rosary will begin at 7:00 p.m., Friday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 20, 2024 at the St. Philip Roman Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Cereal City Lions Club P.O. Box 790, Battle Creek, MI 49016 or The Alano Club of Battle Creek 1125 W. Territorial Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49015. Personal messages for the family and favorite memories of Jim may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.