James C. Baird III

James C. Baird III Of Ravenna, Ohio passed away on March 1, 2021 from a short illness. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeri Pritts Baird, his parents, James and Virginia Baird, brother Douglas Baird and brother Robert Baird.

James “Jimmy” Baird was born November 2, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois while his father was serving overseas in World War II. In 1950, his family relocated to Warren, Ohio where he went on to graduate from Warren G. Harding High School. In 1959, his family moved to Kent where he attended Kent State University and helped his father start the Jim Baird Oldsmobile-Cadillac dealership. He later went on to establish Jim Baird Curtis Mathis Store.

His favorite pastime was spending time with his grandchildren. He was always the “Home- room Mother” for them and would bring snacks and entertain during school parties. His favorite vacations included taking his family to his childhood home on the sandy shores of Lake Michigan where they would float for hours in the lake, collect beach glass and hike Mt. Baldy.

After retirement, Jimmy loved reading spy novels, dining out on Friday nights with his friends and playing with his dogs. Jimmy was a proud veteran and served his country in Pleiku, Vietnam from 1964 - 1967 as an Air Traffic Controller.

Jimmy will be remembered lovingly by his sister Nancy Baird of Sawyer, Michigan; Daughters Lori Stone (Pritts) of Fairlawn, Ohio and Julie Fisher (Pritts) of Kent and Los Angeles; Grandchildren Michelle Stone of San Francisco, Claire Stone of Fairlawn, Ohio and Addison Fisher of Kent and Los Angeles.

Per Jimmy’s wishes, there will be no services, just fond memories and a lifetime of stories. In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions in Jimmy’s memory can be made to the Animal Protective League in Ravenna, Ohio. 

Services in care of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 West Main Street, Kent, OH 44240.

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