James Baird, 64, of Langdon, ND passed away Friday, May 22, 2009 surrounded
by his loving family at the Cavalier County Memorial Hospital of Langdon
after a courageous battle with cancer.

James Irwin Baird was born May 27, 1944 at Langdon, ND to Earl and Vivian
(Irwin) Baird. His father's military career brought them to many parts of the world. Jim spent his first and second grade years in Germany. His family spent five years in Daly City, CA where he was involved in the Boy Scouts-Order of the Arrow and had a paper route. No matter where the family was living at the time, the Bairds came home to Langdon every summer. They eventually "moved home" during Jim's Freshman year. He went on to graduate from Langdon High School in the class of 1963. He received a certificate in General Mechanics from the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton and briefly attended Mayville State University.

Jim began farming with his uncle, Dick Stalker and granddad Russell Irwin in Cavalier County. He was the fourth generation to be engaged in farming some of the land that previously belonged to hismaternal great-grandparents. Jim was a member of the North Dakota National
Guard. He was a third degree Mason, a member of the Scottish Rite and was a Shriner. He and Jean Kay LaBine were united in marriage on November 29, 1980 at Argyle, MN. They became the parents of three daughters. He was active in the Langdon Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder, Treasurer, was on the Pastoral Search and other Committees. Jim was also a Trustee for the George and Lila Jack Foundation and was a member of the Big Sky Condominium Board of Directors. He was a member of the American Legion and also served as treasurer of the Langdon Curling Club.

Jim embraced life and was forever a kid at heart. He earned his Private Pilot's license and initially enjoyed flying Cessna airplanes to adventures in far-off places. Later in life he moved on to cultivating new friendships at Kiting Festivals, flying sophisticated stunt kites, and built and flew remote control airplanes with other enthusiasts. During the winters he enjoyed curling (serving as treasurer of the Langdon Curling Club for years), snow mobiling, and especially downhill snow skiing. During the summers he enjoying boating, water skiing, windsurfing and sailboating. Many precious family memories were made when Jim and his family of girls spent a week each summer of family time at the lake and each winter skiing at Big Sky.

He was an avid reader and also enjoyed books on tape, he especially enjoyed western movies and books, and hunted when he was younger. During the summer he could often be found on the back patio Bar-B-Que-ing, using his smoker, and feeding and watching the birds or using his green thumb with rose bushes. Jim collected many things including Hummel figurines. He had a true appreciation for art, especially original art.

Jim appreciated technology and embraced the computer age very early on with the earliest computers and gadgets. His interest in computers and farming were put together when he had the opportunity to be a member of the NDSU Experimental Station's pilot program for GPS farming. He was known in the community as a talented photographer and took many High School sporting photos that were published in the local newspaper along with some senior and wedding photography.

Jim was a lifelong animal lover having had many dogs and aquarium fish over the years, but
none with more personality than Lexi and Mylie, their miniture schnauzers. Lexi and Mylie took Jim for many walks over the last couple of years and their lively personalities were
a source of great enjoyment and companionship. Just this last winter Jim had
really begun enjoying and following Sioux sports teams, especially football where his daughter Julie was on the cheer team, and hockey.

Jim was a supportive husband and father, wanting them to be healthy and happy and encouraged growth and education. He still enjoyed having little ones around and jumped at the opportunity to hold a baby.

Those who loved Jim and are left to mourn his passing are his wife Jean of Langdon, ND, daughters: Jill Baird of Cavalier, ND; Jackie Baird of Grand Forks, ND and Julie Baird of Grand Forks, ND, brother Greg (Joan Musch) of Portland, OR, aunt Zelpha Malo of Langdon, ND, aunt Doris and uncle Robert Miller of Tennessee, brother-in-law James (Barbara) LaBine of Cottage Grave, MN, and cousins including special cousins Betty Fetzer of Langdon, Kristy (Ken) Forest of Wales, ND and Bob (Billie) Stalker of
Colorado and neices and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and cousin Jan Stalker.

     VISITATION will take place on Monday May 25, 2009 from 4 to 7 pm at the
Brooks Funeral Home of Langdon, ND. Visitation will also take place for one
hour before the time of the services at the church on Tuesday.

     SERVICES Tuesday May 26, 2009 at 1:00 pm at the Presbyterian Church of
Langdon, ND.

     INTERMENT Lebanon Cemetery