Robert Jefferson “Jeff” Baird, passed away on August 19, 2026, after a yearlong illness. Jeff was born in Gilmer, Texas on August 10, 1951, to Jack “Spot” Baird and Mary Lee Epperson Baird. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend who took great pride and interest in the lives of his loved ones.

Jeff is survived by his wife of 55 years, Lana Sisson Baird, brothers Jack Baird and Charlie Baird, sister Sharon Hasten Penfold (Craig), daughters Lucy Winn (Shane), Bonnie Jordan (Josh), grandchildren Carly Winn Stewart (Kaleb), Maddie Winn Holden (Alex), Hudson Winn, Josie Jordan, and Augustus Jordan, great-grandkids Colt Stewart, and Luke Holden, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, beloved son Luke Baird, brother and sister-in-law, Ben Hasten and Susan Davis Hasten.

Jeff was a proud Buckeye through and through and was a member of the GHS class of 1969 where he gained many lifelong friends. He went on to graduate from East Texas State University and then went to work for his well-respected mentor Louie B. Green CPA Firm in Longview. Jeff was also a skilled carpenter from the experiences he got from jobs when he was younger, building houses with Eulon Keel. He was so good that he even built the house where he and Lana raised their 3 kids. Later he and his mother opened Baird Realty in Gilmer where they got to enjoy many years working together and meeting new people moving to the area.

Jeff enjoyed all the years he raised cattle. He also enjoyed the company of his grandkids and friends, and trying to convince people he was the most clever comedian in the room, but if you didn’t agree, he would try his best to convince you otherwise. He also loved putting old photos on “Growing Up Gilmer” for the enjoyment of Upshur County families and took great pride in adding very interesting background stories. He loved to take long trips down memory lane and remembering names and so much history is part of what made him so unique. Jeff came from a long line of history makers and great story tellers such as his Aunt Elfie and Uncle Henry McClelland, Aunt Martha Lansdale, and Dr. Robert McClelland to name a few and he and his siblings and cousins all learned so much from listening to all the incredibly interesting stories about their lives.

Jeff and his stories will live on forever in the friends and loved ones that had the pleasure of knowing him. He was definitely one of a kind and will forever be missed.

A family graveside will be held Sunday August 30, 2026, at 1pm at the Gilmer City Cemetery followed by a Celebration of Life for friends and family which will be from 2pm-4pm at The Dodd Estate located at 1432 Blackwalnut Rd Gilmer, Texas 75644.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer.