James A. Baumgarten, M.D.

James A. Baumgarten, M.D., 85 of Ft. Myers, Fl. Died April 3, 2016 after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke. He was born Oct. 28, 1930 in Louisville, Ky., the sixth of seven children, to the late Harry E. and Lena Frtiz Baumgarten. In 1933, the family moved to Owensboro, Ky.
In Owensboro, Dr. Baumgarten attended St. Joseph's grade school and then graduated from St. Joseph's Preparatory High School in Bardstown, Ky. Jim attended the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio for three years and he was then accepted into Marquette University Medical School from which he graduated. Following his internship he was invited to join the United States Navy and after training in Pensacola, Fl he served as flight surgeon at Whiting Field in Milton, Fl.
When Dr. B. was honorably discharged from the Navy, he returned to Louisville to complete his residency in radiology at St. Joseph's Infirmary after which he joined the practice of Dixon and White in Owensboro. Jim served the community for more than twenty-five years while on staff at Owensboro-Daviess County, Our Lady of Mercy, and Ohio County hospitals. While holding several positions during this time, he also taught in a radiology technicians program.
Dr. Baumgarten was a Fellow of the American College of Radiology, the American Medical Association, the Kentucky Medical Association as well as the Daviess County Medical Society where he was in charge of continuing education for many years. Dr. B. continued his interest in education after retiring from practice by joining the Kentucky Medical Insurance Company in Louisville as their medical director and developing a program for claims prevention which he taught throughout the state. During these years, he was able to complete a Masters of Business Administration at the Jeffersonville, IN. campus of Webster University.
Following his second retirement in 1991, Jim moved to Ft. Myers, Fl. with his second wife, Gail. They have been able to enjoy thirty years together with travel to far off destinations as well as service to the community as volunteers at Health Park Hospital and the Southwest Florida Community Foundation, and Shell Point Retirement Community where they have lived for the past nine years.
Jim was a life long catholic who held a variety of positions with the parish council of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Owensboro even volunteering during summer visits to help with a medical clinic. After settling in Ft. Myers he and Gail joined St. Columbkille Catholic Church.
Dr. Baumgarten was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Dorothy Kirchner of Louisville and their toddler son John Victor, his two older sisters and their husbands, Mary Helena and Wayne Gordon, and Martha and Joe Lauzon all of Owensboro, Ky. He is survived by his wife Gail Pruitt of Bowling Green, Ky. and Ft. Myers, Fl. As well as three sons, James Jr. of Louisville, Dr. Thomas (Beth) of Greenville, S.C. and Paul of Indianapolis, IN.; ten grandchildren Sarah Catherine (Rebecca), John David, Caroline (Austin), Olivia, Christopher, Emmett, Victoria, Lucas, Duncan, and Mary Elizabeth. His family also includes a sister, Charlotte and brother Harry (Charlene) Baumgarten of Owensboro, and brothers Dr. Joseph (Martha) Baumgarten of Ames, IA. and Dr. Richard (Pat) Baumgarten of Stone Mountain, GA and many extended family, friends, and his dog Boo who will miss him dearly.

A memorial mass will be held at 11 AM Saturday April 30, 2016 at St. Stephen Cathedral in Owensboro with burial at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 until 10:30 AM Saturday at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory in Owensboro.

In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Lena and John Victor Baumgarten Scholarship Fund at Brecia University, 717 Frederica St., Owensboro, Ky. 42301 or the Southwest Florida Community Foundation, 8771 College Pkwy, #201, Ft. Myers, Fl. 33919.

Condolences may be offered online at www.glennfuneralhome.com.