James Kaye Baird, 87, passed away Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at his home north of Fort Morgan.

He was born on March 23, 1931 in Omaha, Nebraska, and his family later moved to Watertown, South Dakota where he attended high school and later received a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of South Dakota.  There he met and later married Mary Wilds on August 22, 1953.

From December 1953 to November 1955 he served in the U.S. Army.  He spent the second year serving on the administrative staff of the United Nations Command at Panmunjom, Korea.

Returning to South Dakota, James received a Master's Degree in Geology and went to work for Western Geophysical, employed as a geophysicist in the oil and gas exploration industry.  Along with Mary, his work took them to many small and large towns across the entire western United States.  Finally, in 1967, they settled for 12 years in Houston, Texas.  In 1979, James was transferred to Color

ado to help open a new office in what would become Centennial, Colorado.  Ultimately, they moved to Fort Morgan in 2001.

He attended Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Brush, and was a member of the American Legion Post 19.

James enjoyed playing cards and was an avid Nebraska Cornhusker football fan and Kansas Jayhawk basketball fan.  He also helped run the bingo games at the American Legion, and was on the Legion Honor Guard that gave the Military Honors at the cemetery for veterans.

Survivors include his wife Mary of Fort Morgan, children, Kenneth John Baird (Marleah) of Houston, Texas, and Stacey Lynn Baird of Castle Rock, Colorado, grandchildren, Joshua James Baird (Lisa) of Houston, Texas and Nathan Thomas Baird (Jessica) also of Houston, and 9 great grandchildren.

There will be a visitation on Thursday, November 29, 2018 from 5 until 7pm at the Heer Mortuary in Fort Morgan.

Funeral Services will be Friday, November 30, 2018 at 2:00 pm at the Heer Mortuary in Fort Morgan. There will be cremation after the funeral and the cremated remains will be inurned in Serenity Falls in Fort Morgan at a later date.