David E. Baird, 81, 27-year resident of Oak Harbor, died at his home March 25, 2004, following an extended illness.

Mr. Baird was born in Hugo, Okla., Jan. 7, 1923, to Frank Baird and Mildred (Kirkwood) Baird. He was raised in Seattle and Yakima, before moving to Wenatchee, where he graduated from Wenatchee High School in 1940. Following high school graduation, he entered the National Guard for one year, and then enlisted in the US Army. At the age of 19, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and was initially stationed at Fort Lewis. He also served in the African and European theaters during World War II.

Nov. 12, 1945, David married Betty J. Garbe in Hyde Park, Calif. They were married for 58 years. He attended Loyola University and then transferred to Gonzaga University. He was hired by the Spokane Police Department, where he served for two years as a patrolman and accident investigator. He then moved to Texas, where he was employed as a wildcatter in the oil fields. He built and operated a bowling alley in Goliad, Texas. He then moved with his family to California, where he worked as an insurance broker in Hermosa Beach, Torrence, Redondo Beach, Huntington Beach, San Jose, Sacramento and Las Vegas. They moved to Ashland, Ore., before coming to Oak Harbor in 1977.

David was a member of the Whidbey Golf and Country Club. He loved fishing and golfing. He was a wonderful family man and dearly loved his wife, children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Bette, at home in Oak Harbor; his daughter, Carmel Walter and husband Robert of Oak Harbor; one grandson, Charles D. Walter and Wendy of Oak Harbor; three great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Samantha and Colby Walter; one sister, Ann Baird Sherman of Fairbanks, Alaska; two brothers, Dr. Frank Baird and wife Virginia of Wenatchee and John Baird and wife Mary of Ephrata.

A memorial mass will take place Thursday, April 1, at 10 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Rev. Ronald Belisle, celebrant. Private inurnment will take place at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Skagit Hospice, 2013-A Hospital Dr., Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284.