EDGAR BAIRD

BAIRD, Edgar Mandlebirth "Yogi," passed away on March 30, 2013 after a lengthy illness. He was born on May 23, 1935 to B. B. and Margaret Baird. Edgar is survived by his wife of 57 years, Beverley Oliver Baird; his son, Lawrence E. Baird (Jeanette); and his daughters, Brenda Baird Giragosian (Chris), Cynthia Baird Blackley (Clay) and Betsy Baird Testa (Daryl). He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, Haike, Christopher, Matthew and Anna Giragosian, Mallory Blackley White (Josh), Lindsay Blackley (fianc‚, Shawn) and Clay Blackley, Trent, Morgan, Brittany, Mackenzie and Kamryn Testa, Blakely and Kyle Baird; his brother, Birlond Baird of Texas; and his sister, Jacqueline Baird Warner of Maryland. Edgar was a lifelong resident of Richmond. He was a record-holding basketball player at Thomas Jefferson High School, a graduate of the University of Richmond and a well-regarded realtor and businessman, as president of Baird & Company, Inc. for nearly 50 years. In recent years, he transitioned from full time work to various philanthropic activities and continued to support his University of Richmond Spiders basketball teams. The family wants to thank the wonderfully compassionate staff of Family Care and Lexington Rehab and Healthcare for their support and care during Edgar's illness. They are also thankful for the constant prayers and visits by friends throughout the past year. The family will receive visitors on Thursday, April 4, from 2 to 4 and from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Bennett Funeral Home at 11020 W. Broad Street. A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 5, at 11 a.m. in the chapel at First Baptist Church, 2709 Monument Avenue in Richmond. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Virginia Chapter, 1500 Forest Avenue, Suite 124, Richmond, Va. 23229 or a charity of choice in Edgar's name.

This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.