Jack Baublits

Jack was born at 2:30 in the afternoon on April 20th, 1920, but there was no official record of this birth. Dr. Brown was to deliver Jack, but was not available until the 20th. His mother, Ruby, said that she would wait until the doctor was available before delivering, which she did! When the doctor arrived at the Grand Avenue home, he was drunk. Jack was never weighed and Ruby and Heck were never billed for the delivery, nor were they given a birth certificate. Jack never knew his birth weight and was a father of three children himself before he received his birth certificate. As he was going into the Navy, the nurse who attended his birth was still living in Las Animas and could verify his birth. To obtain his official birth certificate, he had to appear in court and prove his case in front of a judge.  According to his mother, Jack joined the Methodist Church in Las Animas in 1934, but he was not confirmed until November 7, 1960.

The following are the residences and the occupations of Jack from 1937 to present:

Rifle CO. from June 1937 to June 1938; worked at Hoffmeisters Grocery; Husted's service station; Soil Conservation chain gang on survey crew.

Colorado Springs, CO. from June 1938 to Dec. 1941; painted for Uncle Ray Baublits. Las Animas, CO. December 1941 to Sept 1942; worked for Heck Baublits in cafe. La Junta CO. Sept 1942 to 1944 he worked as a brakeman for AT&SF Rairoad.

While in La Junta, Jack was drafted into the Navy  in 1944 and returned to La Junta in 1945  having spent ten months in service. While in the Navy, Jack tells the story of studying the lights for Morse Code.  His coach, nicknamed "Sneery" (He told the sailors he could really sneer!) was the best coach and their unit was the No. 1 unit.  Wherever the sailors were, they were studying for the test--in the chow line, at bedtime, or on duty.  At the final test, the sailors were in the big hall, and Jack's partner was writing for him.  He saw the reflection of the lights.  If you could hear the clicks, you could read the code.  The tester made noise so you couldn't pass the test that way.  "Thanks to my partner, all of a sudden, I could read it, and I passed the test."

At the end of WWII, he returned to North La Junta and began working in

Las Animas Sept. 1946 to May 1948 in Heck's bar and cafe and pool hall, riding a motorcycle back and forth.  

Las Animas, CO. May 1948 to Jan 1960; worked for Uncle Charley Baublits Painting.

Las Animas, CO. Jan 1960 to 1989; worked for self after buying Uncle Charley's business.

Las Animas, CO Retired 1989

Received his GED certificate on 3-19-68 at Otero Jr. College.