Dave Baton ¹

   FamilySearch ID: GJSR-GPH.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Newspaper: Tallahassee Democrat: Death of Dave Baton, 21 Jul 2011, Tallahassee, Leon, FL. ¹ Cycling community mourns loss of friend
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Members of the local cycling community are mourning the loss of one of their own. Dave Baton, 42, was killed Tuesday in a collision on Tram Road while riding with his 10-year-old son. "I was incredibly taken back that Dave was killed," said Dean Dugger, one of Baton's longtime friends. "I know that Dave was a confident bicyclist. He really knew how to handle a bicycle. I know this happening is quite a shock to the bicycle community." Leon County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a call Tuesday around 10:33 a.m. concerning a collision between a car and a bicycle said Sgt. James McQuaig, LCSO spokesman. Deputies learned that Baton and his son were hit by a 2003 Honda, about a mile from Four Oaks Boulevard, according to the LCSO report. The Honda's driver, Delana Buzbee, 24, Baton and his son all were traveling west on Tram when the crash happened. Baton died at the scene and his son was taken to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital with minor injuries, according to the LCSO report. McQuaig said an autopsy was performed Wednesday morning, but the investigation is continuing. Local cyclists say Tram Road is popular with riders. "It's one of the more-used roads for training and for event rides and competition," said Roger Hawkes, Higher Ground Bicycle general manager. "It has historically had less traffic than other roads. The visual lines on the road are pretty good. And in most cases, on Tram Road a motorist can see the cyclist from a good distance. In the cyclist community, we see the road as pretty safe." Bill Otersen, one of Baton's longtime friends, said the local business owner and former bicycle pro is the first rider he has known personally to be killed on the road. "Something like this happening makes you appreciate life more," Otersen said. "It wakes you up and makes you realize how precious life is." Baton was a dedicated rider, Dugger said, and became well-known during his professional riding days in Tallahassee and Colorado. He said Baton got out of professional riding when he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, but that didn't stop him from riding. Something else fellow riders could not deny is the love Baton had for his son and daughter. "Dave had two loves, cycling and his family," said Kelly Beacher, Baton's girlfriend of four years. "But honestly, he loved all kids and everybody in the cycling community." Beacher said she and Baton would take their 17-month-old daughter riding down Tram Road just about every morning. Karen Loewen, who's known Baton for five years, said he was training his son to be a cyclist. And he's trained several other youth in the community as well. "He was full of energy," said Ace Lashley, who's known Baton since 1992. Lashley recently got a chance to ride with Baton after many years, during a visit from Colorado to Tal- lahassee a couple of weeks ago. "He loved bicycle riding second only to his family," he said. "His son took after him. He's going to be every bit as good if not better. He's really taken to riding." Baton was known as a safe cyclist, which makes Tuesday's crash even more shocking to those who knew him. "He was always aware of his environment and would never to put anyone's life in jeopardy," Beacher said. "Rest assured when Dave is around you were safe." Joe Mizereck, president of the Capital City Cyclists said he believes Tallahassee to be a bicycle-friendly community, but there's a lot to be learned. "We all need to be more attentive as a motorist and cyclist," he said. "It's terrible that we've lost a cyclist. But we have to learn from this and figure out a way to make it safer for all travelers." Beacher said a memorial .service for Baton is being planned for July 30, but the details are still being worked out.

Dave married Kelly Jeanne Beacher, daughter of Darryl Brett Beacher and Cathy Jeanne Bollinger. (Kelly Jeanne Beacher was born on 4 Feb 1974 in Allentown, Lehigh, PA ^{2 3}.)