Gerald M. Baird

Gerald’s early years were spent on a 120 acre farm near Findlay, Ohio. He graduated from Findlay High School in 1943 and joined the Navy in 1944 to attend Great Lakes Naval School in Waukegon, IL for bootcamp and then continued to Navy Signal school. He shipped out to the Pacific Ocean on an AKA20 USS Virgo cargo ship from Bakersfield, CA.

In July 1946, he returned to Ohio and married Marie Miller on May 3, 1947. They have two children, Barbara and Gregory, five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Gerald worked at the Marathon Oil Company for 25 years, retired and bought the 18 hole Lakeland Golf Course in Fostoria, Ohio. After operating the golf course for 12 years, he sold it and retired to Florida. Eventually he bought a ranch in Ocala and had two horses, Skippy and Honey. Gerald continued to ride the horses through the beautiful Florida countryside through the 80’s. When Marie became ill they returned to Ohio.

Gerald loved music and could play the guitar and the harmonica, both at the same time. He was in numerous musical groups and had a repertoire of over 1000 songs. Even though he loved music and horses, golf was his passion. He won many golf tournaments and was Florida State Champion in his age group 8 times. After returning to Ohio, he was state champion in his age bracket 9 times. In 2008, he qualified to attend the National Senior Olympic Games as the Florida representative. At the Senior Olympics, he won three gold medals and two silver medals over the course of 5 tournaments in the states of Texas, California, Ohio, Alabama and Minnesota. He continued to play golf until he was 97.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Marie Baird, his parents Charles and Leona (Carter) Baird, three brothers Lloyd, Ralph and Robert Baird and sisters, Rowena Baird Harrer and Marilyn Baird Wise.

A private celebration of life ceremony will be held at a later date.

Donation in Gerald’s name can be made to First Tee-Central Ohio, 7309 E Livingston Avenue, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Schoedinger.com for the Baird family.