Blake Baird

Blake Baird
Blake Baird, age 89, passed away on Wednesday, June 30, after a long illness, at Chantele's Loving Touch in Sutherlin. He was born February 21, 1921, in Umpqua, Oregon, to Arthur and Hazel (Ford) Baird. He married Rachel Lee September 27, 1941, in Oakland. Blake served in the Navy during WWII, seeing action in the Pacific. After the war Blake returned to the Umpqua area where he worked as a self-employed logger and rancher.
Blake was an active long-time member of Calapooia Free Methodist Church, where he held a variety of responsibilities. In his later years he and Rachel were able to establish a foundation which, among other things, built several churches in Africa, and has, so far, awarded nearly $250,000 in college scholarships to Oregon youth.
Blake is survived by his wife of 68 years, Rachel, of Sutherlin; brother David and his wife Dorene of Milwaukie, Oregon; sister Ruth of Salem; sons Dan Baird and his wife Ida, of Oakland, Oregon, Norm Baird of Toledo, Washington, and Glenn Baird and his wife Jean of Mulino, Oregon, and one daughter, Joy Jones and her husband, Sam, of Winchester, Oregon; three grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Hazel Baird, brothers John, Allen, and James Baird, sisters Dolly Baird and Nellie Baird Depew Thompson, and one grand-daughter, Lindsey Erin Baird.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Chantele's Loving Touch who cared for Blake during the last years of his life.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, July 11, at 4:00 P.M. at Calapooia Free Methodist Church in Sutherlin. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the building fund of the church.