Waxahachie, TX: James Collin Baum, age 86 passed away February 6, 2010 at Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie, Texas.
He was born in Desoto County, MS and grew up near Pleasant Hill and Hernando, MS, the son of the late Archie and Bernice Falkner Baum. He attended schools in Mississippi and entered the U.S. Army, December 24, 1942. He served in Normandy, Europe and Japan in the Air Offensive Campaign as a navigator and returned November 1, 1945. While serving in the Army Mr. Baum received the Army Air Force Medal with 3 Bronze Clusters and a Distinguished Flying Cross.
He married Lathric Bircham of Weakley County, TN on Christmas Eve 1946. They made their home in Memphis where Mr. Baum was plant manager of United Paint Company now know as Sherwin Williams and Mrs. Baum worked for Goldsmith’s until they retired and moved to Chester County and made their home in the Smith subdivision south of Henderson. While living south of Henderson they were members of the Estes Church of Christ
They later moved to Waxahachie to make their home near their daughter Rita.
Mrs. Baum preceded in death in 2007.
Mr. Baum was a member of the American Legion and a member of the College Street Church of Christ in Texas.
He is survived by a daughter, Rita Brown and husband James of Midlothian, TX; five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, James Allen Baum in 1990, a brother, Archie Baum, Jr. and a sister, Lanelle Sterling.