Kenneth Raymond Baird

Kenneth Raymond “Skip” Baird, 81, passed away on January 7, 2026, in Edmond. He was born February 22, 1944, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Kenneth and Lois Baird. When Skip was eight years old, his parents divorced, and he and his sister, Cindy, went to live with their father and stepmother, Ruth Baird. Following several moves during his grade school and junior high years, the family eventually settled in Columbia, Missouri, where Skip attended Hickman High School for his freshman and sophomore years. There, he participated in football, basketball, and baseball.

In 1960, the family moved to Beaver, Oklahoma, where Skip continued his athletic career at Beaver High School, competing in football, basketball, and track. His talent and dedication earned him selection to the Oklahoma High School All-State Football Team during his senior year. Skip was also honored with a full athletic scholarship to play football at the University of Missouri in Columbia “Mizzou Tigers.”

While athletics played an important role in his life, Skip often said the greatest honor he ever received was meeting and dating Darla Jenkins in 1960 where they were both attending Beaver High School. A match made in heaven, soulmates. Skip and Darla were married on September 7, 1963, beginning a lifelong partnership rooted in love, commitment, and shared purpose for 62 years of marriage.

Together, Skip and Darla raised two children, Suzanne Denise Baird and Brandon Tate Baird. Their family grew to include four grandchildren, Tyler Sivigliano, Ashton Sivigliano, Carly Baird, and Morgan Baird. They also have six great-grandchildren, Kyler Sivigliano, Gia Sivigliano, Maisie Jackson, Jemarcus Jackson Jr., Jaliyah Jackson and Aspen Sivigliano.

In 1972, Skip earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. He began his professional career in 1973 at Boise High School in Boise City, Oklahoma, where he served as a football, basketball, and track coach. In 1975, he accepted a coaching position in Protection, Kansas, serving as head football coach, head girls track coach, and assistant girls basketball coach. Under his leadership, Protection won the state championship in basketball in 1977 and football in 1978.

Skip and his family later moved to Fairview, Oklahoma, where he served as head football coach and head boys track coach. Fairview achieved the state championship in boys track in 1982, marking another highlight in Skip’s coaching career.

Later that year, Skip transitioned from coaching to the insurance industry, beginning a new chapter as a sales representative with Farmland Insurance Company. After ten years, Skip and Darla opened their own independent insurance agency in Enid, Oklahoma. In 2002, they sold the agency and joined Triangle Insurance Company, where they continued working together until retiring in 2010.

In retirement, Skip and Darla made their home in Edmond, Oklahoma. Skip will be remembered as a devoted husband, proud father and grandfather, respected coach, and dedicated professional. His leadership, integrity, and love for family left a lasting impact on all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Sandy Heishman, and brothers Tom and Stan Baird.

He is survived by his wife Darla Baird; daughter Denise; son Brandon; four grandchildren; and six great grandchildren, mentioned above. He is also survived by his mother Ruth Baird and sisters Cindy Baird, Ruthann Heberle, and Debbie McWilliams.

The memorial service will be at 2pm on January 31, 2026, at Smith & Kernke Chapel, 14624 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City. There will be a Live Stream Video. Please see the link below to join.