Mr. Steven D. "Steve" Baird, 69, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully within the confines of his beloved northside home following an extended illness. His family was at his side. Steve had built that home by himself with his own two hands, and it made him content to be blessed to pass away there.

Steve was born in Garrett, Indiana on November 14, 1953 to Buddy L. "Bud" Baird, who survives Steve in Butler, Indiana, and Delores (Baker) Baird, who precedes him in death.

Also surviving is Steve's son, Travis L. (Tori) Baird of Granger, Indiana; his daughter Kara Geaugh of Elkhart; brothers Gary (Terri) Baird of Evansville, Indiana and David Baird, who lives in Washington State; sister Kelli Chambers of Bonita Springs, Florida; grandchildren Kaitlyn Geaugh, Zoe Armour, Kaylie (Ryan) Potendyk, Paige (Andrew Wilson) Traxler and Addisyn, Bentley and Hudson Baird, and great grandchildren Laynie Potendyk and Presley Wilson. Steve will also be fondly remembered by a host of loving extended family, good friends, work buddies and one delightful Gecko with a distinct British accent.

Steve's life and times will be celebrated and remembered at a memorial visitation that will be held at Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart on Saturday, November 4, 2023 from 2-4 pm. In accordance with Steve's wishes, there will be no formal service and cremation is scheduled to take place.

Throughout life, Steve made his money as a senior insurance adjustor at Geico Insurance Company. However, Steve would say he earned his living catching Bass and hunting deer. He WAS the quintessential outdoorsman: respectful, reverent and grateful of nature's bounty.  He was an avid fisherman and was the proud keeper of several secret honey-holes in lakes in Michigan frequented by Steve and his buddies. His kids will attest to Steve's love affair with the outdoors since they were very young, as Steve would always enthusiastically load up the kids and go fishing. He also had a rather nice RV for some time that he used to tote around himself and his friends to all of their "classified" fishing spots. Needless to say, he was a former member of Bassmaster's. The fall would also bring on its own type of excitement as Steve would mentally prepare for deer season as he looked forward to his early morning forages into the field.

Steve also considered himself a "professional dad" back in the day because his home always seemed to be the hub of all the neighborhood youth activities. He loved his kids' friends and treated everyone who visited with hospitality and unconditional love. Throughout his life, and even into his days that were long and gray with illness, Steve remained positive and upbeat about life, and never, ever complained about his condition. He was the ultimate inspiration for his children and grandchildren.

Finally, although Steve appeared to be the ultimate "socialite", he preferred solitude and quiet peace whenever he could get it. We imagine the misty morning fog moving off of a favorite lake or the cool, crisp fall smell of dried corn and the woods with a view experienced from a tree stand probably did the trick for him.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one's choice or to the Ted Nugent Kamp for Kids, where since 1989 the singer and his wife Shemane regularly host hunts and fishing trips for sick and terminally ill children.

As a last tribute to Steve's love and respect for nature, conservation and the tradition of the hunt, we thought these lyrics from Ted Nugent's song "Fred Bear" pretty much sums up the respect Steve's memory earned for being a true and honorable sportsman:

"There I was, back in the wild again,

And I felt right at home where I belong.

I had that feelin' coming over me again

Just like it happened so many times before.

The spirit of the woods is like an old, good friend,

It makes me feel warm and good inside.

I knew his name, and it was good to see him again,

"Cause in the wind, he's still alive.

Oh, Steve Baird, walk with me down the trails again,

Take me back, back where I belong.

Oh, Steve Baird, I'm glad to have you at my side, my friend,

And I'll join you in the big hunt before too long….."

Ted Nugent,  "Fred Bear"

Charity of One's Choice

Ted Nugent's Kamp for Kids
4008 W Michigan Ave, Jackson MI 49202
Web: https://www.tednugent.com/about/kamp-for-kids/