Gail L. Baird, 83, of rural Parsons passed away at 3:20 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, at the Parsons Presbyterian Manor.
He was born Jan. 12, 1941, to Elmer and Zella (Brannan) Baird at their home north of Bartlett. The family moved to rural Parsons where Gail grew up and attended Labette County Community High School. He was active in the 4-H and later the FFA, where he served as chapter president. He went on to attend NEO at Miami, Oklahoma, and Kansas State University at Manhattan, graduating with a degree in animal husbandry. At each school he was on the national championship livestock judging team.
After graduation he farmed and pursued his true passion of raising cattle. He expanded his cattle operation until he fell on tough times in the early 1980s. At that point he took a different direction working for, among other entities, the Bartlett Co-op. He never lost his interest in cattle. When he settled near Labette, in the late 1980s, he started a show steer operation using the latest AI and genetics that he continued to operate with his son, Greg, until recently. His other hobby was woodworking, and he made many treasures for his family and friends.
On Dec. 30, 1960, Gail married Sarah L. Crater at the former Washington Avenue Methodist Church in Parsons. The couple spent their first year of marriage in Manhattan while Gail completed his studies at Kansas State University. Sarah was his other passion and sadly preceded him in death on March 4, 2022.
Survivors include two daughters, Brenda Moore and her husband, Bob, of Bartlett and Shari Kimrey and her husband, Don, of Cherokee; two sons, Bryan Baird and his wife, Gayla, of Texas and Greg Baird and his wife, Shellie, of Oronogo, Missouri; five grandchildren, Brad Moore and his wife, Stephanie, of Bartlett, Bethany Moore of Altamont, Amanda Jones and her husband, Jared, of Oswego, Grant Baird and his wife, Caroline, of Texas and Jenna Baird of Texas; six great-grandchildren, Jaylie, Lane and Rhett Moore of Bartlett, Wesson Jones of Oswego and Levi and Hazel Grace Baird of Texas.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife. The memorial service will be at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home with Pastor Randy Beeman officiating. A visitation will follow the service until 6 p.m. at the funeral home. Private burial will be in Lake Creek Cemetery at Bartlett.
The family suggests memorials to the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice. These may be left at or sent to the Carson-Wall Funeral Home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS, 67357.
Leave online messages at www.wallfuneralservices.com.
