Homer Lynn "Gary" Baird Sr., age 81, of Plano, Texas, passed away peacefully on Saturday October 6, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on July 15, 1937 as the only child to Louise (Gray) and Gerald Hubanks.
Gary grew up in Sand Springs, Oklahoma and graduated in 1955 from Cathedral High School. Immediately upon graduation he went on to proudly serve in the United States Navy and defended our country during the Vietnam War. While serving in the U.S. Navy and stationed at El Toro MCAS Santa Ana, California, Gary met and married his beloved Rose DeLuna. The couple enjoyed 55 amazing years of marriage that brought them 5 wonderful children, 17 beautiful grandchildren, and 1 precious great-grandchild.
Gary served in multiple duty stations, the last being NAS Patuxent River Maryland. While in the Navy, he quickly excelled in logistics and was therefore a valuable asset while attached to several squadrons including VP-30 and VQ-4. In June 1977, and after 22 years of distinguished Naval service, Gary retired. He and the family then moved to Plano, Texas, where he worked for a highly regarded defense contractor Collins Radio/ Rockwell International.
He was a devout Roman Catholic who attended the newly formed parish in Plano, Texas, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. He and the family loved attending St. Elizabeth especially since Sunday Mass always seemed to finish prior to kick-off! Later in life he attended St. Mark the Evangelist church.
Gary loved sports, almost all of them, but especially golf, hockey, college football, and baseball. For over 20 years almost every Friday Night you could find him on a Texas High School football field officiating a game. He loved being around the student athletes where he could teach them life lessons through officiating. Rumor has it he even taught a few of the coaches a lesson or two. When he wasn't officiating high school football you could find him at a Dallas Stars or Texas Rangers game. He was an avid fan of both clubs, as well as the Allen Americans Hockey Club, Frisco Roughriders Baseball club, and the Texas A&M Aggies football team.
Much of his summertime was spent in Gulf Shores Alabama where he and his family vacationed annually for over 15 years creating lifetime memories. He enjoyed blues music and military movies. He loved his pets...especially his beloved Labrador retriever “Buddy” who was by his side for the better part of 15 years. He was fondly known to friends and family as 'Bub' and 'Pops' and I imagine a lot of football coaches had their own special nicknames for him too!
Gary will be remembered as a great husband, father and grandfather who was devoted to his family. He was known for being a patriot and extremely proud of his U.S. Naval Service. When people would thank him for his service he would always respond “it was my privilege”. His personality was infectious, someone you wanted to be around, spend time with, learn from, and listen to. He was the kind of person that made you feel better simply by being near him. That feeling will be missed the most.
Gary is survived by his loving wife Rose Baird, his son Gregory Baird, daughter-in-law Terri, son Jon-Marc Baird, daughter-in-law Elizabeth, son Gary Baird Jr., daughter Dennise Watson, son-in-law Scott, daughter Monique Cunningham, son-in-law Jason, treasured grandchildren Nick, Brandy, Matthew, Alex, Derrian, Jack, Shelby, Avery, Angela, Gregory Jr, Corinne, Luke, Rylan, Brinkley, Palmer, Aviah, and great grandchild Wynree .
Gary was preceded in death by his mother Louise Hubanks, father Gerald Hubanks, Uncle Dick Gray, and his grandson Bryan Baird.
Serving as pallbearers are Greg Baird, Jon Baird, Gary Baird Jr., Jimmy Aparicio, Scott Archer, and Terry Watson.
In lieu of flowers donations in Gary’s memory may be made to Wounded Warriors, https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.teddickeywestfuneral.com for the Baird family.
