George Garnett Baird, age 92, of Bois D’Arc, Missouri, passed away on July 19, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. George was born to Virgil Baird and Mary Bell on December 1, 1930, in Bloomington, Illinois. He was raised in Bloomington and graduated from Bloomington High School in 1950. George was united in marriage to Edith Tice on February 19, 1981, in Springfield, Missouri. George and Edith shared forty-two years of marriage before George’s passing on July 19, 2023. George proudly served in the United States Army entering the National Guard in 1949, and was assigned to the 44^th Infantry Division of the Army serving four years before his honorable discharge. The couple were blessed with two children, Casey Baird and April Baird.

George was retired. Over the course of his career-life,George held jobs in fields of business, industry, education, and vocational rehabilitation.  George was owner and operator of a shelter care home in Lexington, Illinois; Executive Director of the Occupational Development Center in Bloomington, Illinois; mechanical and engineering draftsman; special education teacher for McLean County, Illinois, District #5 School District; electronic technician; production foreman; and in his early years as a television repairman. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Comprehensive Industrial Arts and his Master’s degree in special education from Illinois State University.

Throughout his life he had many interests and pastimes including electronic circuitry design and fabrication, woodworking and carpentry, golf, flying his private plane, sailing his hand-built catamaran sailboat, and had a commitment to continued education in technical and trade school curriculum. George served in roles of Chairperson, President, Vice President, and board member across several local and national volunteer-based committees and associations. Nothing, however, brought him more fulfillment than his personal walk with God and working at and tending to his farm in Bois D’Arc, Missouri. George will be remembered as a master of many trades and his passion for his faith.

 George was preceded in death by his father, Virgil Baird; mother, Mary Bell Baird; brother, Wayne Baird; brother, Merle Baird; brother, Jimmy Baird; sister, Charlene Baird; son, Douglas Baird (son of Betty Baird); and daughter, Marci Baird (daughter of Betty Baird). He is survived by his wife, Edith; George and Edith’s children, Casey and April; his stepchildren, Tania Motto and Aaron Bush; former spouse, Betty Baird; George and Betty’s daughter, Georgia; and son, Michael; many nieces and nephews; many grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren.

A funeral service for George Garnett Baird will be held at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, located in Springfield, Missouri, at a later date.