Clear, 58° F
(Oct. 4, 2005)
Craig (Richard) Baird died Oct. 4 of viral encephalitis caused by West Nile at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings. He was 53.
He was born Feb. 11, 1952, in Powell, the youngest of three children. After graduating from Powell High School in 1970, he attended Northwest Community College.
He married Lonna Stadtfeld of Greybull on Aug. 10, 1974. The couple’s only child, Grayson, was born Dec. 16, 1982, in Powell.
Craig bravely fought a long five-year battle with diabetes and kidney failure. During the past year, he received a successful kidney transplant and spent a great deal of time in hospitals.
The two passions in his life were his family and cars. His love for cars began as a child when he eagerly recalled the name of every car he saw. Later in life, he took great pleasure in selling cars because he said he enjoyed the opportunity to meet and talk to all sorts of people.
A dedicated husband and father, he loved his wife and son more than anything. Craig also had a fondness for his dog, Hazel, who helped him immensely during his illness.
Involved in many events and organizations, he loved the 12 years he served as a volunteer fireman. He was also the president of the Powell Alumni and a member of the Kiwanis and Lions clubs.
Craig was very devoted to his church life and God, enjoying the many different tasks and callings he had in the LDS church, especially working with the young men's group.
A caring and considerate person, he was always quietly helping others — second nature to Craig because he never gave it a second thought or expected anything in return. He was blessed with many friends from all walks of life whom he cherished.
Craig lived his faith, enjoyed the company of others was kind to all and never gave up.
He will be greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by his father, Floyd Baird, and his mother, Norma Baird. Surviving are his wife Lonna, son Grayson of Laramie, sister Joan (Jim) Hoffman of Cody, brother Bob (Marsha) Baird of Olympia, Wash., and a large extended family.
Memorials may be sent in Craig's name to: Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank, Development Department, P.O. Box 6026 Aurora, CO 80045 or (Organ Donation) The Living Legacy Foundation, 11245 South East 6th Street, Bellevue, WA 98004.
