Jack David Baird

Jack David Baird, 86, of Morganton, NC passed away Monday, November 21, 2016.  Born in Gaston County, NC on April 29, 1930, he was the son of the late David Hampton Baird and Bertis Barrett Baird.  Jack was a member of Liberty Fellowship Church.  While working in the textile industry in his younger years, he invented the Baird Pullover Machine, for which he received a U.S. Patent.  Jack retired after 17 years of service with the N.C. Department of Corrections.  After his retirement he still worked part-time in the security field until he was 81 years old.

A loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather, Jack is survived by his sons, David Lawrence Baird and wife, Bettye, of Morganton and Jack Douglas “Cotton” Baird of Granite Falls, NC; daughters, Connie Gladden and husband, Charles, Brenda Curtis and husband, J.D., and Debbie Friesland and husband, Dean, all of Morganton; grandchildren, Jon Baird, Tim Baird, Tonya Justus, Jamie Justus, T.C. Pendley, Jason Curtis, Charles McFarland, Michael McFarland, and Jennifer Francis; a number of great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; special friend, Jackie Ford; best friends, John Council and Jerome Epley; special sister, Katherine Baker and husband, Bill; and his canine buddy, Lo-Bo.

In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Elizabeth Hice Baird; a grandson, Tracy Spratt; and 3 brothers, William, Joseph, and Bobby Baird.

The family will receive friends from 1:30 – 3pm, Friday, November 25, 2016 at Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center.  The funeral will be held at 3pm in the Colonial Chapel of the funeral home with the Rev. Steve Wilcox, the Rev. David Orders, and the Rev. Jerry Gamble officiating.  Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Park.  Honors will be provided by the NCDPS Honor Guard.  At other times the family will be at the residence, 102 N. Phoenix Avenue in Morganton.

Memorial contributions may be made to Liberty Fellowship Church.