Joe Dean Baird

Joe Dean Baird, 82, of Morganton, NC died Tuesday, January 13, 2015.  Born in Burke County, NC on September 25, 1932, he was the son of the late Joseph Lynn Baird and Sadie Decker Baird.  Joe was a member of Christ United Methodist Church and was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War from 1951-1955. He served on the USS Tortuga LSD-26.  He was owner of Baird Electrical Service.  Joe was a retired member of Triple Community Fire Department and was a member of the Brown Mountain Lite Steppers Square Dancing Club.  He enjoyed traveling and was an avid sports fan, especially baseball.

Joe is survived by his wife, Katherine McNeely Baird of the home; a son, Brian Baird; daughters, Laura Justice and Lee Ann Singleton and her husband, Neal; grandchildren, Amber Reynolds and her husband, William, Drew Anderson, Amanda Silvers and her husband, Jamie, Matthew Baird, Tanner Anderson, and Colton Singleton; a brother, Truette Baird; and sisters, Rachel Woodie and her husband, Willie, Linda Piercy and her husband, Terry, and Barbara Williams.

The celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 16, 2015 at Christ United Methodist Church with the Rev. Amy Freeze and Dr. Matt Brown officiating.  The family will receive friends at the church from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service.  Entombment will follow in Burke Memorial Park Mausoleum with military honors provided by the U.S. Navy and Caldwell County Veterans Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 38, Drexel, NC 28619.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.