David Baum

David Carlilise Baum, passed away Saturday, July 2, 2022, in his home in Odessa, Texas. Family and friends will gather to celebrate his life of 88 years on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at 3:00 pm at Sunset Memorial Gardens.  Burial will follow after the service.

David Baum was born November 19, 1933, in Houston, Texas to Mary Elizabeth Parker and Joe Browne Baum.  He grew up in Jal, New Mexico and graduated from Jal High School.  As a young man, David played football and worked summers in the oilfield.  David attended Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico where he met the love of his life, Glyne Myers. They were married for 64 years.

David served state side in the Army during the Korean Conflict.  After serving, David and Glyne moved to Odessa in 1956 with their infant daughter. Within a few years their son was born, and Odessa became his home.

David was a people person. His passion in life was helping people in finance.  He first worked for Pacific Finance, then Amarillo Hardware and Fairmart Furniture Store.  In 1967 he became Vice-President of First Savings and Loan of Odessa, and in 1974 he was named President of Odessa Savings and Loan.  When the savings and loan crisis of the 1980s happened, he worked for the Resolution Trust Corporation and served as president of Andrews Savings and Loan for two years.  Eventually all savings and loans were closed or resolved, and David found himself “retired” much earlier than he had planned.  But he was used to the ‘boom and bust’ of the oilfield and like the oilfield, David was far from being done. He owned and operated Colonial Auto Sales and he became a realtor for the next 26 years. Only in his 80’s did he finally “retire,” spending as much time as possible at his cabin in Ruidoso, NM with his wife, Glyne.

David was a charter member of Bethany Christian Church in Odessa and fondly remembers turning the first shovel of dirt at the groundbreaking for the new church.  He held many positions at the church from finance chair to chairman of the board. David was a member of the Chuck Wagon Gang, Odessa Chamber of Commerce, and a long time board member of the Clover House and Girls Club.  He was a Paul Harris Fellow with the Rotary Club.

David is preceded in death by his wife, Glyne and survived by daughter, Cindy Baum Sims and her husband David; son Tim Baum and his wife Linda; sister, Vicky Gwynne, and niece Penny Gwynne.

The family wishes to express their thanks and gratitude to Aleida Suchil and her team of caregivers including Abby Hernandez, Irene, Lupita, Evette, Yolanda, and Xylina. They lovingly and tirelessly cared for David the last 3 years of his life, fulfilling his wishes of independence in his own home until the end. The family is forever grateful.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Bethany Christian Church of Odessa, the Odessa Food Bank, or a charity of your choice.