Donald Raymond Bayer passed away peacefully on July 4, 2025 at the age of 89. Donald was born May 15, 1936 in St. Louis, Missouri. He is survived by his daughters Emily and Ellen Bayer. He is also survived by his brother Gary Bayer of California. Donald was preceded in death by his parents Leslie Aubrey Bayer and Virginia Schieble Bayer, his brothers Jack and Richard Bayer and his ex-wife Alice Hall Bayer. Don graduated from Ladue Horton Watkins High School in 1954 where he lettered in football and soccer. From there he attended Purdue University from 1954-1956 and later transferred to The University of Arizona in Tucson. He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He joined The United States Air Force and was stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson. Don was proud of his military service and loved to fly. He was a first lieutenant and a member of the Mach Buster’s Club flying the F100 Super Sabre. He was also a daredevil. One afternoon when The University of Arizona was playing the United States Air Force in football, Don was doing a training mission. He knew that his commanding officer was in attendance on the 50 yard line with the UA President watching the game. In my dad’s words, he buzzed the field (he flew in really low and then went nose up over the stadium) and turned on the afterburners on his way back to the base. The crowd went wild! He later moved to Missouri and was a member of the Missouri National Guard. After his military career was over Don was hired by Delta Airlines in Atlanta as a commercial pilot. He stayed with them a couple years and then pursued his other love of home building. He built the most gorgeous custom and spec homes in St. Louis Missouri, San Antonio, and the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Don loved and supported The University of Texas Women's Basketball Team, where daughter Ellen played in college. He attended nearly all the home games and regularly took the entire team out to dinner afterwards. Don also enjoyed music especially 70’s/disco music and live Jazz. He loved dogs, lifting weights, playing racquetball, lazy days spent at the pool/water park, going to Six Flags and riding the roller coasters! As he got older, he enjoyed watching old war movies as well as the History channel. He loved to barbeque, entertain people, and was always the life of the party.