James Wallace Baird

James Wallace (Jim) Baird was born on July 20, 1941, in Memphis, TN. He grew up in the Capleville, Drummonds, and Millington communities and graduated from Millington High School in 1959. Jim went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in 1964.

Over the years, Jim built a long and dedicated career, working with IBM (Lexington, KY), Piper Industries (Collierville, TN), Empire Plow (Cleveland, OH), and Baird Manufacturing (Clarendon, AR), before finishing his professional journey at Lund Manufacturing (Holly Springs, MS), where he retired at the age of 80. Jim passed away suddenly on September 26, 2025, at Baptist Hospital in DeSoto County, MS, surrounded by the love of his family.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Carolyn Lorena Woods Baird and James Thomas Baird, his son James William (Billy) Baird, and great-grandchildren Anna Grace and John Liam Baird.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Sandra Kuykendall Baird; daughter-in-law Gail Bennett Baird of Collierville; daughter Sheryl Bodron (husband Bob) of Griffin, GA; and son Richard (wife Liz) of Savannah, TN. Jim and Sandy were proud grandparents of David Baird (wife Shannon) of Germantown, TN; Robert Bodron (wife Amanda) of McDonough, GA; Kerry Baird (wife Lauren) of Lebanon, TN; Rachel Bodron Stroud (husband Chad) of Fayetteville, GA; Jonathan Baird of Cordova, TN; Rebecca Bodron of Griffin, GA; Bennett Baird (wife Anna) of Collierville, TN; and Jesse Baird of Starkville, MS. James and Sandy were also blessed with great-grandchildren Jamie, Ruth, and Emily Baird of Germantown; Kooper Baird of Lebanon, TN; Samson Baird of Collierville; and Charlotte and Truett Stroud of Fayetteville, GA.

Faith, family, and sports were the passions of Jim’s life. Married for 65 years to his beloved Sandy, they built a family rooted in faith and filled with devotion, joy, and lasting memories. He faithfully supported his three children and eight grandchildren through ball games, math and history bowls, dance recitals, and band competitions. He served as president of the Briarcrest Band Boosters and cooked countless ears of corn in support of the White-Cap 4-H Club and Shelby County 4-H. Jim also poured his heart into Capleville United Methodist Church, where he was a member for more than 50 years, serving as chair of the Administrative Board, Building Committee, and Audio Team, as well as an adult Sunday School teacher. In more recent years, he found a new church home at First Methodist Church of Collierville. Most days, you could find him cheering on his teams from the living room, especially when his beloved UT Vols or New York Yankees were playing.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at Collierville Funeral Home, 3863 Bailey Station Rd., Collierville, TN 38017, on Monday, October 6, 2025. Visitation will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the service to follow.

Because Jim was a passionate sports fan, the family invites friends to honor his memory by dressing in the colors of his beloved University of Tennessee or New York Yankees as we gather to celebrate his life. We take comfort in knowing that Jim is now rejoicing in the eternal presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s memory to the building fund of First Methodist Church of Collierville, P.O. Box 875, Collierville, TN 38027.