James E Baird

On Wednesday July 28th James Edward Baird passed away peacefully in Longview Texas with his family at his side.

Ed, as everyone called him, was born April 12th 1936 in Memphis, Tennessee. The oldest of three children, he spent his early years on family dairy Farms around Oxford, Mississippi.

The Family moved to Abilene Texas where he graduated from Abilene High School in 1954. After high School Ed began his study of engineering at LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas. It was during his time at LeTourneau he met his East Texas sweetheart, Doris Jackson. They were married in 1957 and had the experience of living in different cities around the country while Ed completed a work study program with Lockheed Martin.

In 1958 they moved to Dallas, Texas where Ed attended Southern Methodist University, graduating in 1961 with his Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

In 1969 he took a position with Eastman Kodak in Longview, Texas spending the next 25 years with Doris working and raising a family.

Ed retired from management at Eastman in 1994. For the next 25 years he and Doris pursued the many enjoyments of retirement.

Ed was an active member of Alpine Presbyterian Church for over 50 years. He enjoyed the outdoors, camping, fishing, and hunting in the woods and lakes of East Texas.

Ed was predeceased by his parents Maurine and John Baird. He is survived by his beloved wife Doris, his son Sean, Sean’s wife Michelle, and son Kurt. He is also survived by his grandsons; Gavin, and Collin, granddaughter Maddie; sister Barbara Sanders, her husband Vick, their sons Rick, Nick, and their families; brother John Baird, his wife Kathy, their daughters Leslie, Angie, Amy and their families; sister Jean Sprouse; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephew’s from both he and Doris’s families. Ed was also close with Doris’s siblings who lived in and around the Longview area; Clifton Jackson, Chris Hudspeth, and Alice Davis.

Ed was a kind and thoughtful man with an affectionate sense of humor. Anyone who met, or worked with him always had kind words to say. He was respected by all who knew him and will be greatly missed.

A service celebrating Ed’s life will be held Saturday at 2:30 PM August 7th at Alpine Presbyterian Church with a reception afterward at the Church’s Henderson Hall.

Please send any condolences or flowers to 125 Hiett Lane, Longview, TX 75605.

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