CLAYTON DEWARD BAIRD

CLAYTON DEWARD BAIRD, age 86, died peacefully on the 11th of August 2010 following a short illness. His daughter and several friends were at his bedside.Clayton was born to Deward Clayton and Myrtle McDaniel Baird. He was preceded in death by his parents; three older brothers; and by the late Dorothy Alexander Baird, his beloved wife of 56 years, and by their only son, the late Clayton Baird, Jr. Clayton is survived by his daughter, Dorothy Elizabeth Baird; grand-daughter, Alexandra Baird; his brother, Eddie J. Baird and wife Annette; Dorothy's sister, Ann Tanner and her son Clarke Flowers and wife Mindy, and their children Jake and Ella; Clayton Jr.'s widow, Melissa Baird-Tindall and husband Tommy Tindall; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.Clayton proudly served his country in the US Navy as a Lt. on the USS Howard DE 346 during WW II. In keeping with his love for the Navy, Clayton was a generous supporter of US Navy memorials and institutions and served for many years on the Board of the Battleship Texas Foundation.A native Texan and member of the Mrs Baird's Baking family, Clayton enjoyed a long career with the bakery that spanned over fifty years before his retirement in 1997. He baked bread in his early days and moved into management and later into Employee Relations and Industrial Relations. In his work with employees, Clayton was an early and avid supporter of hiring women and minorities and providing equal pay for equal jobs, long before it became a legal debate and eventually the law. A longtime member of the Board of Directors of Mrs Baird's Bakeries, Inc., he also served as Chairman of the Board.In what became a surprising secondary career, Clayton was a volunteer officer with the Harris County Sheriff's Department. He became interested in Law Enforcement after he was asked to serve on a Federal Grand Jury. As a Reserve Deputy Sheriff, Clayton worked in the Criminal Warrants Division, and retired at the rank of Detective Sergeant after 20-plus years of service.Clayton had many philanthropic interests that involved his love of music, including the Houston Symphony and Festival Hill at Round Top Texas. A musician himself, he played drums for many years in a Dixieland band called The Fearless Four, a group comprised of local businessmen who played for their passion for music (and the occasional cocktail!). Clayton and Dorothy both enjoyed golf, and as longtime members of both Lakeside Country Club and Houston Country Club, spent many happy hours on the golf course with friends.He and Dorothy were dedicated friends of the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens and made many life long friends through their association there. Clayton was also a generous supporter of several animal protection and rescue organizations and always had at least one rescue animal (and usually more) happily ensconced in their home.Forever proud of his Scottish ancestry, Clayton served for many years as President of the Scottish Heritage Foundation, a group that among other things, encouraged business ventures between the US and Scotland, and fostered Scottish traditions and music. Clayton loved nothing more than an opportunity to wear the Baird tartan and hear the ancient drone of the bagpipes.The family wishes to thank our many friends, family members near and far, the loving and patient in-home caregivers and the amazing doctors, nurses and general staff of The Methodist Hospital, particularly those in the Fondren Tower 12th floor facility.So as to honor Clayton's wishes, a private Navy memorial service, aboard the Battleship Texas, is to be conducted at a later date.In lieu of customary remembrances, and for those who so desire, the family suggests with gratitude that contributions in Clayton's memory be directed to one of the following: The Battleship Texas Foundation, 908 Town and Country Blvd., Suite 120, Houston, TX, 77024-2208; The Ninnie L. Baird Foundation, P.O. Box 471461, Ft. Worth, TX, 76147; or to the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 900 Portway Dr., Houston, TX, 77024.