Video Tribute

Larned – Ralph H. Baird, 88, died December 13, 2006 at his home in Larned.

He was born December 13, 1918 at Larned the son of John and Clara Spangler Baird. A longtime resident of Edwards and Pawnee counties, he was owner of Ralph Baird Motors, Larned. He graduated from Larned High School in 1937. While serving as a mechanic in the Zook community, he learned to fly and joined the Army Air Corps in 1943. He was a B24 Liberator Pilot for the Shady Lady stationed at Hethel Air Base in England from June 1944 until May of 1945. Captain Baird flew 23 bombing missions and was awarded several service medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross. He returned to Lewis Kansas after WWII and purchased Posey-Baird Ford in 1945. He moved to Kinsley and purchased the Kinsley Ford agency re-naming it Ralph Baird Motors in 1955. In 1974 he purchased Robbins Ford in Larned where he was a Ford Dealer re-naming the dealership; Ralph Baird Motors, Inc. and he was also active in farming.

He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris Fellow, Past Director of the Larned Area Chamber of Commerce, Lewis Masonic Lodge, Wichita Median Shrine, Experimental Aircraft Association and numerous other community organizations. He served on the city council and as Mayor while in Kinsley, a member and trustee of the Kinsley Congregational Church, and life member of the VFW and American Legion.

On June 22, 1945 he married Marian Reed at Larned. She died September 20, 1985. On December 21, 1999 he married Merlene Lyman in Arkansas. She survives.

Survivors include: wife, Merlene, Larned; a son, Joe Baird, Metemora, Illinois; a daughter, Jean Martin, Oberlin; a sister, Ona Cross, Lewis; a step-son, Jim Lyman, Ellinwood; a step-daughter, Gina Janes, Hannibal, Missouri; five grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday, December 15, 2006 at the Presbyterian Church, Larned with Pastor Dennis Scheibmeier presiding. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday at the Beckwith Mortuary Chapel, Larned. Burial will be in the Larned Cemetery, Larned.

Memorials may be sent to the Ralph Baird Scholarship Fund at Larned High School or The Rotary Foundation in care of Beckwith Mortuary, Inc. P.O. box 477, Larned, KS 67550. Condolence may be sent and this notice viewed at www.beckwithmortuary.com