Jack passed away on Sunday, December 25, 2022, at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital, Red Oak, Iowa, at the age of 91 years and 13 days.

Jack Delaine Baird was born on December 12, 1931, at the family home of his parents, Leslie and Mae Baird near Villisca, Iowa. He grew up on his family farm southeast of Red Oak, where he began his lifelong love of farming. Jack graduated from Red Oak High in 1949. Jack married Joanne Peterson at Center Ridge Presbyterian Church on Sunday, December 2, 1951. He continued to be an active member of Center Ridge throughout his life. Jack entered the U. S. Army on May 18, 1953, serving during the Korean War with the 44th Engineer Construction Group. He was honorably discharged on April 27, 1955. Jack continued his service in the Iowa Army National Guard.

Through age 89 Jack was actively working the family farm, which has been in the Peterson and Baird families for 148 years. He loved seeing his sons continue the farming operation.  He also loved gardening and creating stunning flower beds across the farm.

Jack was honored as a 4-H Hall of Fame inductee with over 30 years of working closely with the woodworking and mechanics programs, 4-H Club leadership and assisting all his children and grandchildren with project work. He also showed Guernsey cows as a young man at the Iowa State Fair, which began his interest in helping other youth experience 4-H.  In his younger years he also had a lot of fun competing in tractor pulls with his Montgomery Ward tractor.

Besides his love of family and farming, Jack loved everything about the joy and message of hope at Christmas time. When he started hanging lights on the farm to brighten the season for his own children, he had no idea of the joy he would bring to thousands of people as he grew the tradition to what it is today. For over five decades, he was always planning the next additions to enhance the display. His happiest moments each year were hearing from others that the lights made their Christmas more special.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents Leslie and Mae (Cardiff) Baird and his wife Joanne with whom he shared over 46 wonderful years of marriage.

He is survived by his partner of the past 21 years, Sandy Severn, children: Teresa K. Russell  and her husband Miles of Red Oak, IA, Kirk D. Baird and his wife Linda of Red Oak, IA, Deanna J. Suchting and her husband Scott of Red Oak, IA,  Chris L. Baird  and his wife Christine of Red Oak, IA, and Yvonne M. Putze and her husband Loren of Jefferson, OR; six grandchildren: Michelle M. (Rick) Sander of Ankeny, IA,  Danielle K. (Luke) Smith  of Loveland, CO, Jordan D. (Alicia) Baird  of Des Moines, IA, Robin M. (Ben) Aslesen of Ankeny, IA,  Garrett S. (Amanda) Suchting of Omaha, NE and Kaitlin Suchting of Red Oak, IA;  Great grandchildren include Nolan, Austin and Macie Sander, Mason Baird, Kylie, James and Elliette Aslesen and Jack Suchting, along with many friends.

May God bless his memory and give strength to those who mourn.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, December 31, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at Center Ridge Presbyterian Church northwest of Red Oak.

Burial with Military Rites (Army National Guard, service in Korea with the 44th Engineer Construction Group) the Center Ridge Cemetery.

Visitation with the family will be held at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home on Friday evening, December 30, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.