Baird, John P. 89, passed away Sunday, May 3, 2015 peacefully at his residence in St. Louis, Missouri. John was born in St. Louis, Missouri on November 1, 1925 to Janet Harrison Baird and John Baird. John was predeceased by two brothers, Harrison (Harry) and Jeffrey (Jeff). He married the late Virginia M. Traeger in 1948. John and Virginia had two sons, the late John P. Baird, Jr. and the late William H. Baird. John had two grandchildren by his late son William H. Baird, Molly O. Baird and the late Andrew M. Baird. John Baird grew up on his grandparents' farm in south St. Louis during the depression. He graduated from Webster Groves High School in 1943. He was an outstanding athlete playing both basketball and football during high school and went on to play football for the University of Illinois. John enrolled in University of Illinois before being inducted into the U.S. Army in February 1944. John had a distinguished military career in World War II. He was first assigned to the 28th Infantry Division. The division landed in France on July 27, 1944 and fought across the country entering Germany on November 2, 1944. He later joined the 89th Infantry Division. His unit in the 89th Division made the first discovery of what has come to be known as the Ohrdruf concentration camp on April 4, 1945. The U.S. Army recognized him as supervising 250 military personnel in occupational guard and patrol and coordinated tactical training programs. In addition to being the youngest First Sergeant in the European Theater of Operations during WWII at the age of 19, he also received the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star Medal, EAME Campaign Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and World War II Victory Medal. John Baird was a true Patriot in every sense of the word. After WWII, John completed his undergraduate work at University of Illinois. John attended St. Louis University School of Law where he earned his Juris Doctorate. He practiced law at a prominent St. Louis law firm where he was a partner before joining Ralston Purina Company in 1957. He would spend the remainder of his career at Ralston Purina until his retirement in 1985. John was Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Ralston Purina Company. His responsibilities gave him the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the United States and the world. He also helped manage the St. Louis Blues hockey team during Ralston Purina's ownership and very much enjoyed his interaction with the Blues coaches and hockey players. John served on Bethesda Health Group's Board of Directors and served as Chairman of the Board for many years. In addition to being an outstanding corporate lawyer, he was well known for his engaging personality and his love of life and people. It was said that, John Baird could learn more about a person in an hour than anyone I've ever known. He loved to read, especially anything relating to the Civil War. He rarely missed a Cardinal baseball game. John's family owns a working farm down in Osage County, Missouri where the family enjoys peaceful family weekends and raising cattle and horses. His granddaughter Molly will carry on the family tradition at the farm. John is survived by his loving granddaughter Molly O. Baird; his sister-in-law Betty Baird; his nieces Deanna Baird Foote and Sarah Traeger; nephews John Traeger, Loren Traeger and Matthew Traeger; and his daughter-in-law Tracy Baird Burgess (nee Hardgrove) and a number of great nieces and nephews. John was also predeceased by Virginia Baird's (nee Traeger) brothers William V. Traeger and Theodore C. Traeger; as well as his sister-in-law Joann T. Wilson (nee Traeger). Services: Visitation will be held at Bopp Chapel on Monday, May 11th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Bopp Chapel is located at 10610 Manchester Road, Kirkwood, Missouri 63122. Burial services will be held at Jefferson Barracks at 11:00 am on Friday, May 22. If desired, memorial contributions can be made to Bethesda Health Group Foundation (www.bethesdahealth.org/foundatio n-gifts/), St. Louis Children's Hospital (www.stlouischildrens.org) or the charity of your choice.