john Thomas Baccus

John Thomas Baccus was born in Seymour, Texas, on January 1, 1942, to Mr. and Mrs. Lee Roy Baccus and departed this life on February 24, 2024, at the age of 84 years. John was a man of high morals and principles, and he loved the Lord all his life. The last few years during declining health, he spent many hours at his computer writing a book on Satan and the power of the evil one. Though not completed, his son, Mark Baccus, will edit and publish John’s book that meant so much to him. He wanted all people, young and old, to know that this life is fragile, short, and determines our destination for eternity. He especially spent these thousands of hours writing for his two cherished sons, John Mark Baccus and John Alan Baccus. His greatest desire was to meet the Lord when the angels carried him from the earth and into the loving arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ.

John’s work years were devoted to the study of wildlife ecology and wildlife management. He was widely published in these areas in all major scientific journals. He was one of the few experts concerning melanistic deer (whitetail deer with considerable black coats). He developed the Wildlife Biology Program at Texas State University, San Marcos, and taught at Texas State for almost forty years. He traveled across Asian countries studying the mammals of those countries; his tales of being served soup with floating amphibians were many. During his tenure at Texas State, he graduated over 100 masters degree and several Ph.D. students. Among the awards he received during those years were: Robert L. Packard Outstanding Educator Award; Lifetime Membership in the Southwestern Association of Naturalists; The Graduate School, Southwest Texas State University, in appreciation for contributions to graduate education; Midwestern State University Alumni Association College of Science and Mathematics, Outstanding Alumnus 2004, Outstanding Achievement, Dr. John Baccus, The Wildlife Society, Texas Chapter; Presidential Seminar Award 1986 and in 2010 he was awarded the Texas State Board of Regents Professor. These are just a few of the recognitions John received. After retiring from Texas State, he and Shella moved to Lubbock where he taught in the Texas Tech University system, as adjunct, for a few years until health forced retirement. Even in the last few years, he continued to work on projects involving quail, and the swift fox in the Panhandle area.

John is survived by his wife, Shella Bibb Baccus; and by two sons, Mark Baccus and wife Kathryn; and by Alan Baccus and wife, Christina; and by two grandchildren, Josh Baccus and Kara Baccus Bookman and their families in the Denton area. He also has two great-grandchildren, Logan Baccus and Knox Bookman; and a much-loved brother, Carroll Lee Baccus of Sherman.

Our hearts are grieving over the absence of this so-loved, wonderful man. Yet, with no doubt whatsoever, the Lord met him when he was escorted by rejoicing angels into heaven’s gates; John is now where he lived his entire life to be: in the presence of the Lord, his parents, and the saints who gather around the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. How we look forward to the time when those who loved John so much can join him.

A viewing will be held from 1:00 until 2:30 p.m. Friday at Archer Funeral Home in Seymour. A private family graveside was held under the direction of Archer Funeral Home.