Keith Allen Baird

Keith Allen Baird, age 85, left this earth on March 14th 2026. Keith was surrounded by his loving family, caregivers at the Meadowbrook Long Term Care of Gardner, KS., and members of St Croix Hospice.

 Keith was born January 3rd 1941, in the rural agricultural community of Cadmus, Kansas, to Harold E and L Maude Baird. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Clayton Baird, and infant brother. Surviving family members are his wife Virginia , 3 daughters Gina Rockers, Lisa Harvey and son in law Gary Harvey, and Nicole Casey, 6 grandchildren, Samantha Baird., Courtney Rockers, Analisa Harvey, Sophia Harvey, Josh Casey and MaKinley Casey, 2 great grandchildren, Maddic Green and Emma Christensen, nieces Susan Gorman and family, Sally Ravnicker and family, Penny Russell and family, nephews Paul Baird and family, Peter Baird and family, along with many cousins and extended family. 

Keith carried strong values of integrity and respect for nature and the land from his simple Kansas upbring which shined throughout all aspects of his life. He instilled into his children the importance of taking care of those who may be weaker, have less, or those who may not have the same privileges. “Always stand up for the little man” and “you are only as good as your word”. 

As a child Keith would join his mother when going to the Cadmus store to buy chicken feed so he could pick out the sacks that his mother would then make into his shirts. He would walk to the one room school house in Cadmus during his early years and then went on to graduate from Parker Rural High School in 1958, where he loved to play football and basketball , and learned to play the trumpet. Keith’s summer time after high school was filled with cutting hogs, bailing hay and coaching girls softball where he met the love of his life Virginia Gorrell. Virginia’s position was catcher and it was Keith that got caught that summer. Keith was also known for hustling a game or two of pool for extra cash, we could only assume it was so he could take his girl out. 

Keith went on to college at Pittsburg State where he graduated with his teaching degree in 1962 and has enjoyed the annual get togethers of his peers from PSU. Keith moved through a fulfilling career path that drew out his love of problem solving and engineering as a tool and die maker. Later on in his adult life he spent several years as a respected union stewart at KC power light while maintaining the smoke stacks. After his retirement from KCPL Keith went on to work at and retire from the Osawatomie State Hospital where he helped maintain the power plant. 

Throughout his changing career paths through life he always had integrity and love of life. Keith loved doing hog roasts and enjoyed the friendships of those attending. Fishing was also a pleasure he loved to share with his buddies as well as little ones of the family. Friends and family will remember Keith as a man of deep faith for his devotion to God, love of fishing and family and friends . Life Celebration for Keith will be held at the Catholic Church of Gardner 555 W. Main St. on Saturday June 6. Please join the family for celebrations beginning at 11 am with a light lunch of pulled pork with salads to commemorate all the pig roasts that Kieth loved hosting for family and friends. Services will begin shortly after. Bring your memories of how Keith touched your life and leave with a favorite photo and new stories to pass along.