Wesley William Bara

Wesley William Bara, 78, of Interlochen passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully on September 23, 2024, at his home and in the company of his beloved boxers Bailey and Boomer. All who knew him will miss his welcoming smile, vivid storytelling, sense of humor, and exuberant optimism. Wes was born on March 23, 1946, in McKeesport, PA to the late Joseph and Helen (Weissert) Bara. He grew up in Bloomfield Hills, MI, and graduated from Andover High School in 1964 before enrolling at Michigan State University. At MSU, Wes was a lifeguard, enthusiastic motorcycle owner, and student of animal husbandry. Formative childhood summers spent on Aunt Lizzy’s farm in McKeesport, PA, nurtured in Wes many of his lifelong passions and values, namely: self-sufficiency, the embrace of physical labor and hard work as builders of character, communion with God and nature through gardening and agriculture, and a love of animals – especially, the companionship of a dog. On June 15, 1968, he married Margaret Susan Jones of Northville, MI having met at Michigan State University. In their 52 years of marriage, Wes and Sue raised three boys and were active members at the First Presbyterian Churches of Mason and Lansing, Plymouth Congregational Church in Grand Rapids, and Central United Methodist Church in Traverse City, singing in the choir, volunteering, and serving in leadership. Wes and Sue were matchless in their curation of flower and vegetable gardens in their various homes in Holt, Mason, Rockford, and Interlochen, and together took great joy in the planning, companionship, beauty, and harvests of these shared efforts. Their prowess as gardeners was arguably rivaled by the well-practiced team they became as near-weekly campers setting up elaborate and decidedly luxurious camp sites where they hosted legendary surf and turf feasts. Some of their happiest later camping experiences were exploring the country and visiting family in their RV, always in the company of their beloved dogs. In their retirement years, Wes and Sue moved to Interlochen to be closer to their first grandchildren. This coincided with Sue’s diagnosis with early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease, thrusting Wes into the role of caretaker and drastically changing their long-laid retirement plans. Stalwart and unfazed, Wes fully embraced his new circumstances, relishing the joys of new life and grandparenthood alongside the heartbreak of a long goodbye. Following Sue’s passing in 2020, Wes found renewed purpose in the ministries and outreach of Central United Methodist Church in Traverse City, where he was a near-daily presence in the kitchen, as a greeter, and serving on the Personnel Committee. Wes served honorably in the US Navy on the inaugural crew of the nuclear aircraft carrier, the USS Nimitz, where he gained skills as an x-ray technician, and which ultimately opened the door to a career in health care and health care administration. From 1977 to 1989, Wes worked in Lansing’s Sparrow Hospital in the X-ray and Oncology departments before promotion to higher hospital administration in marketing. As President and CEO of Advanced Medical Business Services in his final decades before retirement, Wes’ innate administrative charisma, entrepreneurial drive, and technical savvy met their full realization, where he was on the vanguard of implementing mutually beneficial internet-based interfaces among physicians, patients, and insurers. Wes was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Sue. Wes is survived by his brother Joseph “Donald” (Andrea) Bara of West Rutland, VT; children Thomas (Anne) Bara of Lilburn, GA; Daniel (Deanna) Bara of Stone Mountain, GA; and David (Jennifer) Bara of Lansing; grandchildren Andrew, Katherine, Elizabeth, Benjamin and William; and many friends and extended family. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 11am with visitation beginning one hour prior at Central United Methodist Church. A luncheon reception will follow in the church hall. Memorial donations for Wes can be given to Central United Methodist Church, where he had particular ties to the Community Outreach Ministry, and the Music Ministry.

Wesley William Bara

March 23, 1946 - September 23, 2024