March 13, 1935 ~ January 4, 2020
Jesse DeWayne Baird, 84, of Lawson, Mo., went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 4, 2020.
He was born in Rayville, Mo., on March 13, 1935, to Willis and Delores Baird.
He spent his youth in Hiawatha and Seneca, Kansas, before moving to Excelsior Springs, Mo., graduating from ES High School in 1953 where he participated in football and track. While attending William Jewell College, he played football and ran track, graduating in 1958. He worked his way through college owning and operating up to 4 milk trucks, picking up milk from local farmers. Jesse was a history teacher and coach in the ES and Lawson school districts in the 60’s and 70’s .He was united in marriage to Doris Kay Nolker on December 22, 1957. Jesse and Doris were active members of Old Union Church, Lawson, Mo. He ran a KC Star paper route for 40 years.
Jesse loved watching his grandchildren play sports. He also enjoyed American history and traveling. He coached his sons in baseball and was an avid Royals fan, watching or listening to their games for the last 50 years. Jesse loved planning their numerous vacations and also loved acting as tour guide for many trips with family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Doris Kay; brother, Johnnie Booth; and granddaughter, Kyla Baird.
He leaves behind his five sons, Kent Baird (Rhonda) of Prathersville, Mo., Brent Baird (Diana) of Port St. Lucie, Fla., Jeff Baird (Heather) of Rogersville, Mo., Tim Baird (Sheila) of Lawson, Mo., and Steve Baird (Shelley) of Bowling Green, Ky.; brother, Don Baird of Portland, Ore.; and sister, Cheryl Booth of Palm Springs, Calif.; 11 grandchildren and numerous friends.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at Old Union Church, Lawson, Mo., with a memorial service following. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions be sent to New Hope Missions International, 4243 SW McCrory St., Port St. Lucie, FL 34953.
Arrangements in care of Bross & Spidle Funeral Home Lawson Chapel.
Our Sincere Condolences
To the family: I am sorry for your loss, Jesse was a good man. I am a former KC Star customer and him and his sons were so good with their customers. He will be sorely missed.
Charlene G Brunner
My prayers and thoughts to the family. Jesse and Doris were great people.
James Craven
My condolences and prayers are with you. I’ve heard it said “ That when a great man dies, it’s like a great and wonderful Library burning” and with Jesse’s passing it’s doubly true!
Lyndell Kaiser
Regret losing one of my best ESHS Classmates, athletes and friend. But now, he and Doris can be back together again. Condolences to the family!
Ken Rice
Jesse was a great christan man, We all share his loss. I grew up with Jesse. He was two years older than me. I attended school with him at Rayville and Excelsior Springs High. He graduated 2 years ahead of me. When I was a young boy growing up in Rayville , Jesse lived north of Rayville on a farm. Me and my brothers would walk to his home on Rocky Fork and play in a big barn full of hay and make lots of tunnels. Lots of good memories. God Bless You Jesse, rest in peace.
Don CampbellJesseJ
Jesse was a great inspiration for me when I first met him as the basketball coach of 8th grade at Lewis School.
As I was a junior, he showed the junior’s how to run a pass pattern and I was the cornerback. He was so quick I just guessed his route and he still beat me. OK, he beat me bad (but he had a high school quarterback throwing the ball).
He had to practically stop to get the ball as I grabbed both arms and the ball hit him in the face.
As only Jesse could, he shook it off and said “Nance did the right thing”.
He was a great coach and scout of other teams. He taught all of us with enthusiasm. And on top of that he was a great friend.
My only regret is not visiting him in the past year, to thank him and hear his “story”.
God Bless Jesse and Family,
Bob Nance
I enjoyed my history class. I remember our discussion on communism and other lessons. He made it interesting. He made history relevant in life. Maybe why as an elementary teacher I made sure I taught history in class.
Linda Gail Smith