James C. (Jim) Baird was born on April 9, 1933 in Panhandle, Texas to Cecil and Eula Faye (Walcher) Baird, and passed from this life on Saturday, May 8, 2021, in his home following a short illness. Maintaining employment during the Great Depression required Jimmy’s parents to move the family to several small towns in the Texas Panhandle, finally settling in the small town of Cactus, Texas, and Jimmy graduated from Dumas High School in 1953.
Jimmy’s talent and love for the game of football gained him a college scholarship to Panhandle A&M in Goodwell, Oklahoma where he earned allconference honors his sophomore and junior years. In 1956, the Army Division of the United States of America had also taken note of Jimmy, and his presence was requested in Fort Ord, California.
Following Basic Training, Private Baird returned to Panhandle A&M, and married Lorraine Harland, a pretty little coed, at the Harland Family Farm in Texhoma, Oklahoma. Private Baird then reported for duty in Germany, and the new Mrs. Baird returned to her dorm room in Goodwell, Oklahoma.
After daily crying sessions to her parents, her father declared her “unfit to live with in this country” and put her on a plane to Germany, and the young couple remained there until 1958. While in the military, Jim played football for the 10th Infantry, and the Bairds stretched out their US Army pay and made many wonderful memories.
The couple re turned to Panhandle A&M, and Jim graduated in 1960.
The family, which now included sons, Blake and Steve, moved to Wiley, Colorado, where Coach Baird began his teaching/coaching career. Coaching took the family to Syracuse, Kansas, where daughter Lori was born. From there, the family moved to Elkhart, Kansas, which allowed Lorraine to finish her degree, fulfilling her part of the bargain to her parents, and in 1969, youngest son, James completed the family.
Coach Baird and Mrs. Baird accepted positions in Hooker, Oklahoma, where they spent the next 33 years. In 2007, the Bairds (now retired) moved to Clinton, Oklahoma, to live across the street from Lori and her family. This allowed the couple to be closer to all ten grandchildren and enjoy the extracurricular activities of each. This was a wonderful time for Papa and Grammie as they traveled to see each child and grandchild. They were each other’s constant companion.
Being old school in many ways, Jim was a believer in the written word. He was not ever surprised when a co-worker took another job because often times he had written their resignation letter for them. He wrote many cards and letters to young and old, and if you were fortunate enough to receive one, it is likely you still have it. Writing became his spiritual gift and he used it to encourage hundreds along their paths in life.
He expressed many times how his young life had been blessed by living and enjoying some of the most memorable and historic events of modern America, including the shaping times of the Depression to the prosperity of post-World War II. He was a true patriot, flying his American flag daily.
He was a daily Bible student and wrote hundreds of devotionals for his family, both at home and at church. He loved the book of Proverbs and found much comfort from the assurances in the New Testament. In 2012, he completed his autobiography as a gift to his children and grandchildren.
Jim was a family man. He felt that if he failed to properly provide and train his children and grandchildren, then nothing else really mattered in his life. Jim would proudly say to any and all, “I have the best family that any man could ask for.” He lived out Proverbs 17:6, “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.” Of all the titles he wore, Dad and Papa, were his favorites.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Patricia Lee of Deer Park, Texas, and a great grandson, Dax McLaughlin.
Jim is survived by his wife and best friend of 64 years, Lorraine of Clinton; sons, Blake (Ronna) of Perry; Steve (Rhonda) of Hooker; James (Kela) of Edmond, and a daughter Lori Veazey (Phil) of Clinton. He is also survived by ten grandchildren: Bryce and Brayden Baird; Mattie, Mollie & Brady Baird, Emma, Sara & Jack Baird, and Paige Veazey McLaughlin (Jentry) and Payne Veazey (Getse), and three great grandchildren, Harper and Harrison Veazey and Devon McLaughlin.
Graveside services for Jim will be Wednesday, May 12, 2021 in Hooker, Oklahoma, with a memorial service on Monday, May 17, 2021, at the Custer Avenue Church of Christ in Clinton, Oklahoma.