Donald I. Baird

Donald Ivan Baird peacefully went home to be with his Lord and his family on March 1, 2012, at the age of 81. Born on March 30, 1930 to Oba Dell and Amanda Viola (Allen) Baird in Watonga, OK, he was fondly known as "Monkey" to his family. Donald was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years Rose Marie (Bebe) Villastrigo Baird, daughter Donna Baird-Schreck, son Donnie Baird and 9 of his 10 siblings. He is survived by his sole-surviving daughter Diane Baird and son-in-law Ray Barger, granddaughter Dani Baird-McJunkins of Schertz, TX, grandsons SPC David Baird of Ft. Hood, TX, and Jacob Baird, one great-granddaughter Kynleigh Morgan Baird of Round Rock, TX and brother, OD Baird and wife Renate of Visalia, CA and numerous nieces, nephews, loving friends and neighbors. Don joined the United States Navy in 1951 and served his country proudly during the Korean Conflict as LST 602 Driver Petty Officer 3rd Class. He recounted many stories of his Navy travels to Hawaii, Japan, Okinawa and Alaska where he was once lost in the barren wilderness with two Marines for three days and ate a bird raw. He was the original "survivor". Donald was a Life Member of the VFW Judson Post 2059 and a 50 year resident of Kirby, TX. After serving 5 years in the US Navy, Donald came to call San Antonio home in 1956 where he began his plumbing career at Maspero Plumbing Company. Donald was a Journeyman Plumber for E.L. Smith Plumbing Company from 1961 to 1973. In late 1973 Don joined the Plumber and Pipefitters Local 142 Union and medically retired in 1987 from Robert Bauml Plumbing Co. Don had a strong and determined work-ethic, never missing a day of work. Donald loved fishing, boating, camping, hunting, reading and shooting pool. Don played with the Country Shooters Pool League for Shady Acres for 20 years. Donald once read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica just because "they were there". In later years he enjoyed "junking" and was fondly referred to as the "junk man". He believed in picking up scrap metal, cans and discarded items that were dumped along the road and wooded areas from Kirby to Schertz. He was one of the first re-cyclers and would make re-useable items from someone else's discarded junk. In 1998 he built his grand-daughter a doll house from reclaimed "trash" which still stands today. His family would like to thank the staff of Christus Santa Rosa Hospice and Christus Santa Rosa Sister Mary Hospice Hospital for the loving care they provided in his final days. We also thank his daytime care provider Jean Krause for being his helper, "nurse" and friend. He will be deeply missed but will always be in our hearts.