Services are set for Monday, April 21, 2025, at 2:00 PM, at the Woodward First Christian Church.

Lyle Donald (L.D.) Baird, the son of Lyle Edwin and Eva Vera (Ames) Baird was born June 20, 1934 at the home of his grandparents, Harvey Lyle and Artie Belle Baird, in Woodward County, OK.  He was called home to be with his Lord and Savior at the age of 90 on April 16, 2025 in Edmond, OK.

His early years were spent on the farm and he attended the one room school house called Prairie Gem.  A 1952 graduate of Sharon OK. High School, L.D. furthered his education for two and a half years by attending Panhandle A & M college at Goodwell, OK. where he majored in engineering and participated in the R.O.T.C. program.  On January 21, 1955 he joined the U.S. Navy, serving in the clerical division on numerous submarines and on the staff of the Submarine Pacific Fleet.  He met a Navy W.A.V.E., Kaye Smith, and they were united in marriage on Leap Year Day, February 29, 1956 in Hutchinson, KS.  Over the years they made their home in Florida, South Carolina and Hawaii during L.D.'s Naval career. Their marriage was blessed with two sons, Dennis Dale and Gary Edwin and two daughters, Sandra Kay and Debora Sue.  L.D. retired and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 1974.  He moved his family back to his roots in the Sharon, OK. community where he joined and served as Secretary of the Lions Club, bought, fixed up and ran a café and served on the Sharon-Mutual School Board.  He worked at various jobs including four years as District Manager for Woodward County Conservation.  Kaye was a nurse and was employed in Woodward, OK. until her passing in 1996.

L.D. relocated to Woodward, OK. where he took an active part in the activities of the First Christian Church. He sang in the choir, was President of his Sunday school class, Chairman of the Outreach and Property committees and served as a Deacon and an Elder.  He was also a member of the V.F.W. and the American Legion.  His spare time was occupied by woodworking, gardening, collecting old tools, repairing antique steam and gas engines, genealogy research, anything involving model trains and fishing.  He met Betty Oldham and they were married November 29, 1996 in Belle Vista, AR.  They enjoyed traveling by land, sea and air.  Both L.D. and Betty were of Scottish heritage and they enjoyed attending numerous Scottish gatherings wearing their kilts.

In 2009, following the passing of Betty, L.D. returned to the country south of Woodward and continued his hobbies and community involvement.  While attending a Senior Circle group meeting at the Woodward Hospital, he became acquainted with Evelyn (Sweet) Johnson.  They married on March 24, 2011.  They made their home in Vici, OK. where they enjoyed the fellowship of church, traveling, gardening and playing cards with friends.

L.D. lived a life full of love, hardships, friendships, challenges and successes.  Wise and keen of wit, his favorite quotation was from Pope John Paul II who said, "Stupidity is a gift of God, but should not be misused."

A Sub-Sailor Goes Home

Home is the sub-sailor, home from the sea.

He patrolled the oceans deep.

To guard against an enemy and keep his country free.

And for a little while, he gets to be ashore,

To serve his family, church and God

Until he's called no more.

But time goes by, Oh so fast

Jesus has called him home, a sub-sailor home from the sea,

To be with Him, at last.

Anonymous

He is greeted in his heavenly home by his parents, Lyle and Eva, his wives, Kaye, Betty, and Evelyn, his son Dennis Dale, his daughter Debora Sue and his brother, Jackie Allen.  Cherishing the memories of his life lived to the fullest are his children Sandra Kay Doornek, and Gary Edwin Baird and wife Alexandra of Edmond. OK, grandchildren, Jacob Evans, Lacy Morris, Chloe Baird, David Bandy, Willow Davis, Christine Wells, Kayla Morgan,  many great grandchildren and great great grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.

Memorial donations may be made to the First Christian Church - Flagpole Fund
c/o Shaw Funeral Home
PO Box 276
Vici, OK 73859