James Grundy Baird

James Grundy Baird, 93, of Wimberley, and formerly of Pampa, went home to be with his Lord on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2014, at Deer Creek Nursing Center in Wimberley. Services will be at 10:00 AM Friday, Aug. 8, 2014, at First Baptist Church in Pampa with Rev. James Greer, director of missions for the Top O’ Texas Baptist Association, officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Pampa with military honors by the Blue Knights Honor Guard, Altus AFB, Altus, Oklahoma. Arrangements are by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Pampa. Mr. Baird was born July 22, 1921 in Hugoton, Kansas, the son of Arthur Harriman and Kate Sabrina Bowden Baird. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the 2531st Army Air Force from 1940 until 1945, and he was based at the Pampa Army Airfield. James married Willie Elveda “Beadie” Judkins on Dec. 10, 1943 at the Pampa Army Airfield. She preceded him in death on Feb. 23, 2012. Together, they had twin daughters, Loretta and Joretta. James was an engineering technician for the Texas Highway Department for 35 years. He was a deacon and Sunday school teacher at the First Baptist and Central Baptist Churches in Pampa. He volunteered at the Freedom Museum in Pampa and worked with Church Builders of Texas for many years. Survivors include his daughter, Loretta Robinson and husband Kelly of Wimberley; three grandchildren, Michelle Robinson, Stephen Robinson, and Sonja Hanna; and two great grandchildren, Tori Robinson and Braden Hanna. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Joretta Brown-Baird in 1981. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 621, Pampa, Texas 79066-0621.