Dr. John Stockton Baird

John Stockton Baird was born in Princeton, New Jersey, to Richard Hamilton and Golden Stockton Baird on October 8, 1928. His parents were Presbyterian missionaries to Korea and he lived in Kangkei in the north. Dr. Baird would say that he could look out his back door and see Manchuria. He left Korea at age 12 due to World War 2. Back in the United States, he attended high school at Tennessee Military Institute for three years, and Dyersburg High School for one year, where he was on the cross country, track and boxing teams. 

He graduated from Maryville College, in Maryville, Tennessee, where he was a member of the cross country team. It was during his college years that Dr. Baird met his wife, Mary Elizabeth Hamelman, of Riverton, New Jersey, who he married in 1951. 

After graduating from Maryville College, Dr. Baird obtained a Bachelor of Divinity degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary at San Anselmo, California, a Master of Sacred Theology degree from Temple University, and a Doctorate of Sacred Theology from Temple University. While in seminary, he also worked as a guard at San Quentin Prison. 

In 1954, Dr. Baird became Assistant Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Ambler, Pennsylvania. After two years, in 1956, he became pastor of the Deerfield Presbyterian Church in Deerfield, New Jersey. He served in Deerfield for 11 years. In 1967, he became the pastor at South Hollywood Presbyterian Church in Hollywood, California. In 1977, Dr. Baird became the first occupant of the Dr. Larimore C. Denise Chair of Homiletics at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. He remained at the University of Dubuque for 13 years until his retirement from full-time employment in 1994. 

After his retirement, Dr. Baird moved to Centennial, Colorado, to be close to family. In his retirement, he served as interim pastor or on staff at multiple churches in Denver, Littleton, Kiowa, Elizabeth and Elbert, Colorado, including St. James and Littleton Presbyterian Churches. He remained active in the Denver Presbytery. 

He was pre-deceased by his wife Mary, who died in 1987; his parents, and his siblings, Richard H. Baird, Emily Baird, Elizabeth Wells, Mary Golden Baird and Rebecca B. Bergstresser. His memory will be forever held in the hearts of his surviving family: his children, Richard H. Baird, Cynthia B. Rommel, Bonnie L. Baird and J. Mark Baird; his 7 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Dr. Baird was beloved by all who knew him. He loved reading, camping in his trailer, driving in the mountains, fishing, and spending time with his family. He was known for his sense of humor, loud, hearty laugh, and friendly, welcoming personality. While he suffered hardships in life, he confronted and overcame all challenges through his unwavering faith in God, through Jesus Christ. 

Well done, faithful servant. Rest with joy and peace.