James Holt Baird Obituary

After 96 vibrant years, James Holt Baird (Jim) peacefully slipped into the arms of the Lord. The third son of Enoch Holt and Lillian Marie Baird, Jim was born in Braddock, PA and raised in Swissvale, PA (a suburb of Pittsburgh). Upon graduation from high school, he enlisted in the Army and was selected as an Army Air Corps aviation cadet. In the fall of 1944, he married the love of his life Doris Eamigh. Shortly thereafter his fighter squadron was assigned to duty in the South Pacific, where he flew the P 47 Thunderbolt on bomber escort missions out of Iwo Jima. Returning from the war, Jim left the military and embarked on a career with Ford Motor Company in corporate sales and marketing. During his 35-year career, he held numerous positions to include District Sales Manager in Chicago, Omaha and Buffalo and National Light Truck Sales Manager at Ford corporate headquarters in Dearborn, MI. Upon his retirement, Jim relocated to Texas, settling in Rockwall. In retirement, he was actively involved with the Rockwall YMCA and was instrumental in helping develop the Rockwall County Helping Hands, serving in many capacities including board president. He also served on the board of the Rockwall Friends of the Library and was active in their literacy and citizenship programs. Jim delighted in being with his grandchildren. He and Doris hosted numerous family trips to worldwide destinations. They were also known for their entertaining and creative parties.

An enthusiastic athlete and sports fan, Jim played semi-professional football in Pittsburgh when he returned from military service. A keen advocate of physical fitness, he religiously worked out at the YMCA and played racquetball well into his 80’s. An avid golfer, he was a longtime member of the Shores Country Club where he also served as president of the board of directors.

His faith, friends, and family were the focus of his life. Jim served numerous roles at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, to include, lector, public relations director and the nursing home/homebound ministry. He was involved in all things Rockwall and was honored in 2001 as nominee for Rockwall Man of the Year honors by the Rockwall Soroptimists.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 56 yrs. He is survived by his twin sons James Baird and wife Connie of Dallas, Donald Baird and wife Becky of Houston and brother Richard Baird and wife Jean of Pittsburgh, PA. He is also survived by grandchildren; Jennifer Baird of Salt Lake City, Drew Holt Baird of Houston, Jayson Baird and wife Charlotte of Houston, Joshua Baird and wife Jen of Dallas, Sara Baird Rhodes and husband Anthony of Houston and Polly Figueroa and husband Mike of Lincoln, NE. Additionally, he was blessed with 10 great-grandchildren.

The Baird family invites you to join the celebration of his life at Rest Haven Funeral Home in Rockwall TX on January 31 at 1:00. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Rockwall Friends of the Library (https://friendsrockwall.com/), Rockwall County Helping Hands (https://rockwallhelpinghands.com) or Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church https://ourladyrockwall.org/).