Mark Allen Baird

On Thursday, November 30th, 2023, Brigadier General Mark A. Baird, loving husband, father, brother, son, and friend to every person he ever met passed away unexpectedly at the age of 57 in Denver, Colorado.

Mark was born on December 14, 1965 to parents Rusty Searcy Baird and Burton Baird in Miami, Florida. He was blessed with a childhood filled with sunshine and adventure, growing up in South Florida, mostly in the Homestead area with his brother and parents. Mark graduated from South Dade High School in 1983 as an honor student, with an avid interest in football and music. His academic excellence, love of adventure, and the inspiration of his father’s service in the Air Force brought him to attend and graduate from Florida State University, where he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the US Air Force. He later acquired a Master’s degree in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas.

In his career as both a space and acquisition officer, he served in various locations around the world, including multiple deployments to Iraq. From the rank of lieutenant to brigadier general and long into retirement, Mark was most famous for his quip, “I don’t have coworkers, I have friends who I have the privilege of serving with.” Though his time with those who knew him was too short, his lifetime of travels led him to have a rich and rewarding life with the many friendships he made and maintained around the world. Mark was unrelenting in ensuring that every person in his life knew how much he loved them.

Following his retirement from the Air Force, Mark took his talents to Lockheed Martin, Virgin Orbit-National Systems, and York Space Systems where he continued to support the warfighting community he loved. Mark had an unmatched devotion to the people he served, always making the time and energy to help friends and family whenever and wherever they needed it, never asking anything in return.

Though proud of his long record of service to the country he loved so deeply, nothing compared to his love and devotion to family, especially his wife, children, and grandchildren. There was nothing that thrilled Mark more than sharing in and celebrating their many accomplishments. He is survived by his loving wife BethAnn Baird; his parents Burt & Rusty Baird; his daughters Stephanie Baird Mishkin, Jordan Baird Clester, Jessica Baird Angleton, and Madison Baird; his brother David Baird; his Aunt Dottie Patterson Conway; and other treasured family members. He was especially enamored with his three young grandchildren: Harper Clester, Grant Clester, and Catalina Mishkin.

All are invited to celebrate Mark’s life at 2pm ET on December 14th at the Trinity Christian Center (4416 E County Rd 540A; Lakeland FL 33813). A graveside service at Arlington National Cemetery with military honors will be announced at a later date. For those unable to attend the celebration of life, all are encouraged to spend a quiet moment reflecting on his life and legacy on this day, what would have been his 58th birthday.

If desired, flowers can be sent to Trinity Christian Center (Mark’s favorite, no surprise, was the Bird of Paradise). Alternatively, donations can be made to one of his favorite charities, either Samaritan’s Purse or St. Jude’s.