Emory Hale Baird died on Aug. 1.

He was born on Aug. 13, 1918, in Beloit, Kan., to Jay Orah and Iva Baird, the second of eight children.
Baird loved hunting and fishing as a young man and worked on neighboring farms to help his family during the Depression years.

In 1939, Baird went to work for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) as an accountant/bookkeeper, and relocated to Harney County at what is now the Malheur Refuge. He often commented how “he almost got back on the train when it stopped in Crane and he looked around.”

It was in Crane where he met his lifelong sweetheart and companion, Ruby Oard. They were married on May 17, 1942. A short honeymoon followed before Baird joined the Army Air Corps. He trained as a B-17 pilot and bombardier and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1943.

Baird was stationed at Ridgewell Air Base England as a bombardier as part of the 8th Air Force, 535th Squadron, 381st Bomb group. He was wounded in action during a mission over Germany and was awarded the Purple Heart. He flew 32 missions over Germany before returning stateside as he wanted to see his daughter, Phyllis, who had been born while he was in England. In June 1945, Baird left the Army Air Corps as a 1st Lieutenant and accepted a position as purchasing agent at Bonneville Dam.

His wife missed the juniper and sage country and they moved back to Burns where Baird’s other three children — Dick, Jim and Beverly — were born.

Baird and his brother-in-law, J.O. (Jinks) Harris purchased Dillman Hardware, and started Harris Hardware. Baird and his wife purchased the Harris’ share in 1975 and renamed the business Baird’s Hardware.

On May 14, 1949, Baird applied for and received recognition for the Burns National Guard Unit. He served as the local Commander for 17 years before he accepted a promotion to Major. He retired from the Oregon National Guard in 1965.

In 1980, Baird retired and he and his wife spent many winters as “snowbirds” in Arizona.

Baird was a member and leader of many community organizations — American Legion, VFW, BPOE, Kiwanis, school board and Chamber of Commerce.

Baird is survived by his wife, Ruby; children, Phyllis, Dick, Jim and Beverly; 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; three brothers; and two sisters.

A celebration of Baird’s life will be held on Aug. 21. The time and place will be announced at a later date.