Ron Baus, 59; owned car dealerships
Ron Baus, 59, of Woolwich Township, a car-dealership owner who helped the needy, died of heart failure Feb. 5 in Sanford, Fla., where he was vacationing.
Ron Baus, 59, of Woolwich Township, a car-dealership owner who helped the needy, died of heart failure Feb. 5 in Sanford, Fla., where he was vacationing.
Mr. Baus grew up in Mayfair and graduated from Lincoln High School in Philadelphia. He worked for several car dealerships before establishing Spirit Auto Center, a Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealership, in Swedesboro in 1991. Two years ago he acquired Jay Fisher Pontiac in Elmer, N.J. He also bought and sold real estate and owned a dog kennel, Shih Tzu Zoo.
He was committed to assisting those in need, said his son Michael. Mr. Baus joined volunteers in Florida after Hurricane Andrew and ran telephone wires in a depressed area in Hungary.
Closer to home, he established the Shield of Faith halfway house in Swedesboro for those rehabilitating from drug and alcohol addiction.
He lived his life as if there weren't a second to spare, his family said. It seemed there wasn't a sporting event he didn't have tickets to see. He loved boating and owned an airboat. He also collected fast cars and motorcycles and even owned a fire engine.
In addition to his son, Mr. Baus is survived by his wife of 38 years, Diane Laxor Baus; a son, Ron Jr.; a daughter, Alyssa; a sister; and a granddaughter.
Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. tomorrow followed by a funeral at 11 a.m. at Daley Life Celebration Studio, 1518 Kings Highway, Swedesboro. Burial will be in Lake Park Cemetery, Swedesboro. Memorial donations may be made to Shield of Faith Ministries, Box 363, Swedesboro, N.J. 09086.