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Lt. Colonel Ora Jerome
“Jerry” Baird Commander, 17th Tactical
Airlift Squadron |
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Jerry Baird was born March 14, 1927,
to Ora and Alice Baird in Yakima, Wash. He was raised
in the Northwest and graduated from Jefferson High School in Portland. He
attended University of Portland before receiving his BS degree from Syracuse
University. He enlisted in the Army Air Force
Cadets in 1944 and the Naval Aviation Cadets in 1945. “OJ” (as he was known
in the Air Force) was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant and received his pilot
wings in 1949. Colonel Baird flew combat missions in the Korean War and the
Vietnam War. He participated in the Lebanon crisis of 1958, the Congo crisis
in 1960, and the Cuban and Laos troubles of 1962. Colonel Baird flew most of
the cargo planes of the era and had a total flying time of over 8,000 hours.
He especially enjoyed flying the C-130. Upon retirement he flew fire tankers
and DC-6's out of Medford for a couple of years. Colonel Baird married Ruth
Huddleston July 15, 1950 in Nashville, Tenn. while stationed at Sewart Air Force Base. They were married for 57 years
until Ruth's passing in June, 2007. Together they served in many Stateside
and European assignments including a posting of several years at Top of this Pagevreux Air Base near Paris, France. The couple enjoyed
a special assignment when Jerry served as an Assistant Professor of Air
Sciences at Grove City College in Pennsylvania. Colonel Baird served as the
Operations Officer in deep cover squadrons and flew many covert missions. His
last assignment was in Alaska where he was the Squadron Commander of
ski-equipped C-130 Transport Aircraft. He supervised and flew missions
including flights to the Aleutian Islands and Air Drop Support to Greenland
Radar Stations and Arctic Rangers throughout the North. Upon retirement from the Air Force
in 1972, Jerry and Ruth bought a bookstore. They ran Bookland's
Crown and Quill in Medford. for 13 years as well as Bookworld in Salem, Jerry became active in the Medford
community delivering Meals on Wheels for nine years, serving on the Jackson
County Board of Equalization, and two terms on the City of Medford Budget
Committee. After retirement and the death of
his beloved wife, Ruth, Jerry became more involved with Sacred Heart Church
duties and services. It is there that he met Barbara Driscoll who had also
been widowed after a long 50+ year marriage. They married November 12, 2008
and enjoyed a sweet 5-year marriage until his recent passing. They enjoyed
their time together gardening, cooking, entertaining, traveling, and
trouncing each other at gin rummy. Colonel Baird was a member of a
number of military organizations including the Air Force Association, The
Military Officers Association, The Dadaeleons, The
Firebirds, and Heavychain Group of Stray Goose
International. Jerry also belonged to the Knights of Columbus and was a past
member of Rotary International. Jerry Baird is survived by his wife,
Barbara; his son, Mark Baird, of Gold Hill; and daughters, Sue Larson (Paul)
of Rochester, Minn. and Anne Adderson (Chris) of
Medford. He leaves behind five beloved grandchildren and five
great-grandchildren. A son, James, preceded him in death. He will be dearly
missed by all including his step-children and step-grandchildren. Colonel Baird passed away May 15,
2014. He was 87 years old and a long-time member of Sacred Heart Catholic
Church. A funeral mass followed by a reception will be held at 10:30 a.m.
Friday, May 30, 2014 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Interment will take
place June 2, 2014 at Eagle Point National Cemetery for close family and
friends. Colonel Baird served on the board of
Magdalene Home, a special, safe-haven for pregnant or young mothers.
Contributions in his memory can be made to: Magdalene Home, P.O. Box 255,
Medford, OR 97501. |
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