Richard "Yogi" Neil Baird

Richard Neil (Yogi) Baird was born October 1, 1950 to Lenin D. Baird and Katie Beth Speegle in Baird, Texas. His older brother, James, helped welcome him. His younger brother, Ronald, came along 2 years later. A surprise 18 years later blessed them with a baby sister, Katie Lynn.

The family eventually settled down in Andrews, Texas. Ten year old Richard began learning to play the fiddle from his Uncle Eugene. His skills improved when he joined the school orchestra under the direction of Mr. Jesse Barrera. Richard graduated from Andrews High School in 1969.

After graduation, Richard headed to Nacogdoches where he enrolled at Stephen F. Austin University to major in Forest Management. Before the fall semester began, he joined a local band and left SFA behind. He traveled across the US and Canada playing music and sometimes supplementing his income working on oil rigs or selling Kirby vacuum cleaners.

In 1979 he married Anola Hart and they made their home in the Houston area.

Yogi made his first television appearance on "That's Incredible" in 1983. This launched his career on other television shows and appearances around the world. He also had a bit part in the movie Robocop 2.

Yogi is survived by his wife, Anola, his brother, Ronald and wife, Teresa, his sister, Katie Lynn Lindsey and husband, Bo, his brother-in-law, Kyle Hart and wife, Kathy, his daughters Virginia Curran, Regina Vargas and husband, Alfie, Debra Biondolillo and his son Ricky Baird. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Sera Curran, Kirsten Roberts, Jacob Barron, Chelsea Roberts, Helena Vargas, Emilia Vargas and Ariel Biondolillo. He also has 4 great grandsons and numerous nieces and nephews.

Yogi is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, James, and his father and mother-in-law Toley and Saradel Hart.

A memorial visitation will be held Saturday, August 24, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, followed by a memorial service from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.