Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

John Bernard Lauer, Jr., 77, passed away on September 4, 2024, in Annapolis, Maryland of natural causes surrounded by his family and friends. He was born on January 25, 1947, in Washington, DC to the late John Bernard Lauer Sr. and Ruth Dixon Lauer. John joined the National Guard after high school, and he was a Motor Transportation Operator. He was the owner of Lauer Construction which built custom homes for 55 years. His motto was that, “life is too short to live in a cookie cutter house”. He knew that a house should be more than 4 walls and a roof. It is a place where a solid foundation is formed, memories are made, and where love resides.  In addition, he had owned Gibson’s Lodgings, a Historical Inn, in downtown Annapolis for 30 years. Gibson’s allowed him to be a part of hosting family, friends and people from all around the world. He took great pride in every nook and cranny of the historical Inn to preserve each detail. He realized it was part of a larger story that was needed, so it would be cherished and remembered for generations to come.

John discovered his love for boating at the early age of 15 when he bought his first boat.  He enjoyed power boating, and he was a member of the West River Yacht Club for 50 years.  He shared his passion of being on the water with many friends and family with his favorite destination being the Crab Claw in St. Michael’s, MD. The trays of food would arrive, then the Polar Bear drinks would show up, and the laughs followed.

John was a generous host to family and friends, which allowed him to share his love of food. In his mind, to feed you was to love you. John could cook up a meal for many with very short notice due to a very well organized and always stocked pantry. His friends always joked that they always left John’s events with a full stomach and a fuller heart.  

John had a commitment to all creatures great and small. For years he owned a variety of animals and he appreciated their beauty. In his yard, he found great joy in taking care of the birds, fox, raccoons, deer and other critters that stopped by for a John Lauer meal.

John is survived by his loving wife, Corey Lauer; his daughter, Meredith Lauer (Russ); his stepsons, Jake and Rudy Poeschek; his sisters, Ruth Anne Dearybury, Kathy Curtin (Dan), and Lisa Wilson (Bob); his brother, Mike Lauer, along with many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Shelly; his sisters, Pat Stouffer (Bob) and Margaret Bashioum; his brother, Joe Lauer (Diane) and his nephew, Steven Wilson.

John’s legacy is as solid as the homes that he built. He loved meeting people and if he didn’t know them before they quickly became friends. We all hope that there are plenty of blueprints and building permits in-hand as he continues his journey alongside others that have passed. May his memory live on through each meal he shared and every toast raised in his honor. John was a man that lived big, loved big and he left a big legacy behind that is, like him, larger than life.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate John’s life on Friday, September 13 from 2 to 4 and again from 6 to 8 pm at the Kalas Funeral Home and Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD, where his funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 14 at 11 am. 

Condolences and tributes may be made by using the memories link on this page.  

John B. Lauer, Jr.

John B. Lauer, Jr.

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