Vernon H. Baird

Vernon Harden Baird, of Del City, OK, passed away March 1, 2015 at the age of 90. He was born in Brawley, CA to Johnnie Harden and Opal Marie (Ritchie) Baird. Vernon spent most of his childhood in Dodson, TX; attending the Kelly School and graduating from Dodson High School. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in June 1943, at the age of 19. Following training as a B-17 Flight Engineer and Top Turret Gunner, Vernon was assigned to the 8th Air Force, 91st Bomb Group (H), 322 Bomb Squadron stationed at Air Force Station 121, Bassingbourn, England (known as the “Ragged Irregulars”). From November 1944 to May 1945, he completed 35 missions (the majority on the “Lewd Angel”) and participated in Ardennes, Rhineland and Central European campaigns. Vernon’s awards include the European-African-Middle East Service Medal with three Bronze Stars and the Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters. He was discharged as a Technical Sergeant on Oct 1945; then served as a member of the Oklahoma National Guard, 120th Combat Engineer Company from April 1949 to April 1950. Following WWII, Vernon worked in Hollis, OK as an auto mechanic, where he met his future wife, Joy Colleen Kilmer of Jones, OK. In 1955, they moved to Oklahoma City, OK where Vernon worked for Chick Coker Pontiac as a service manager. In 1960, Vernon began a successful career with the U.S. Postal Service. He retired in in 1986, with 30 years of government service. Vernon then worked for the Oklahoma Horse Racing Association until 2004 as a Security Guard at Remington Park in Oklahoma City, OK. Vernon was a loving husband and father. He loved fishing and spending time with family friends and will be greatly missed. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Joy Colleen (Kilmer) Baird; his three sisters, Verna Mae Underwood, Sara Worley and Johnny Lou Branch; and great-grandson Kory Ingle. He is survived by his three daughters and son; Linda & husband Robert Wilson, Sharon Baird, Sheila and husband Robert Striegel and Wayne and wife Laurel Baird; all of Oklahoma City. He has seven grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Vernon is a member of the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans and the 91st Bomb Group (H) Memorial Association. A memorial service is planned for 2 PM, Thursday, March 5th, at Bill Eisenhour Southeast Chapel. Burial with Military Honors will be at Arlington Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the 91st Bomb Group Memorial Association (http://www.91stbombgroup.com).

Arrangements under the direction of Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home, Del City, Oklahoma.