Herbert U. Baird, 85, passed away on March 1, 2017 at Madison Hospital. Mr. Baird was born in Louisville, Kentucky on Sept. 9, 1931 to Herbert Baird Sr. and Amelia Harrison.
The Baird family moved to Pulaski, Tennessee in 1945 where Herb enrolled in Giles County High School. After graduating, he attended Bowling Green Business University, now a part of Western Kentucky University. He graduated with honors in 1952. He started his career teaching business in the Marianna, Florida high school.
In 1956, Herb moved his family to Decatur where he was employed by Chemstrand. He worked for the corporate office spending time in both the New York City and Puerto Rico offices. Herb also worked for Thiokol before beginning his long career at IBM as a computer technology systems salesman. He was most proud of his sale of computer technology to NASA, contributing to the July 1969 moon landing. In 1985, IBM recognized Herb, then VP of South-West Marketing Division, as a top IBM sales representative and member of the Hundred Percent Club. He retired from IBM in 1987.
Herb was very active in Decatur Civic activities serving in leadership positions in the Jaycees and the committee that oversaw the development and construction of the Human Resources Building on 14th St. SW.
On Aug. 9, 1949, Herb married his high school sweetheart, Rachael Holt and were together until her death in February, 1992.
In 1995, Herb married Peggy Smith Poston, a high school friend from Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. They enjoyed 21 years of RVing and spending the winters in Sanford, Florida.
Among his many interests, including photography and fishing, Herb was known for his skillful woodworking and made many beautiful creations for family and friends.
Herb was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Rachael. He is survived by two daughters from his marriage to Rachael, Terri Baird James (Bill) and JoAnn Baird Moore (Greg); two grandchildren, Ralph H Friend III and Melissa Friend Lewis (Jason); one great-grandson, Ralph H Friend IV; one stepgranddaughter, Lindsey Moore Wells (Justin) and one stepgreat-granddaughter, Carson Wells. He is also survived by three stepchildren, Melissa Poston Young (Don), Laura Poston Senty (David) and William C Poston, Jr. (Kathy); eight stepgrandchildren and ten stepgreat-grandchildren. Herb is also survived by his beloved Chihuahua, Paco.
Herb will be dearly missed by his family and many friends for his devoted friendship, keen wit and humor, especially by his most recent circle of friends at The Terrace at Priceville.
There are no memorial services planned at this time. Memorials in memory of Herb may be made to Decatur Animal Shelter, 1802 Central Parkway SW., Decatur AL 35601.
