Jay Ora Baird Jr., 89, a 63 year Cashmere resident, devoted husband,father and Orchardist, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 16, 2011. He was born on January 12, 1922 at Topeka, Kansas to Jay Ora Sr. and Iva (Patton) Baird. As a young man growing up, Jay’s family worked the crops and fields of the Midwest in Kansas and Missouri. He was raised in Kansas and Missouri and He graduated from high school at Blue Eye, Missouri in 1940. Prior to WWII, He worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.) where he found himself doing a lot of bookwork. After joining the army, he was stationed in many locations. In England, he served as Flight Engineer and Gunner on B-24 Bombers with the U.S. Army Air Corps. Jay successfully completed 28 missions. He later became an instructor for the B-29 Bomber flight crew. Following an honorable discharge in 1946, he joined his family in Cashmere. Jay started working in the Okanogan for a large orchard as a bookkeeper. He later worked as a Mechanic at the Ford Dealership in Cashmere. Soon, he and his brother Dick began an apprenticeship to become carpenters. Jay worked a wide variety of jobs including construction on many of the area dams. In the meantime, Jay and his brothers, Dick and Bob bought land with plans to plant an apple orchard. They, along with their father, initially started in the late 1940’s raising chickens and selling eggs. Being as industrious as he was, Jay and his brothers would work nights and weekends clearing the land and planting apples, slowly creating an orchard of which the valley can be proud. It wasn’t until 1984 that Jay retired from construction to work full time in the family owned orchards. Jay married Delores Mulvaney in 1951 where he was the loving father to 5 children. There was Sandy, Randy, Robin, Linda and Lejoy. They fondly remember camping, traveling, boating and learning to ski with their dad. In 1978 Jay met and married his beloved wife Doris Lorine White. Jay welcomed Doris’s 6 children into his life. These children grew to love and appreciate Jay’s influence and involvement in their lives. This huge blended family led to large family gatherings during holidays and summer barbeques. Jay enjoyed boating, fishing, camping and traveling. He especially loved traveling with his wife Doris in their motor home. They spent many winters in Arizona and many a summer night under the stars up the Icicle or at the ocean. Jay left this world to enter into heaven doing exactly what he loved best, spending time camping in his motor home. While soft-spoken, Jay was a man with strong beliefs. He had many amazing adventures in his lifetime. Sitting next to him at gatherings may have privileged you to one of Jay’s interesting life stories, none of which any of his family will ever regret hearing. Jay was a longtime member of the Cashmere United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Columbia River Chapter of the Good Sam Club. He is survived by his wife, Doris L. Baird, Cashmere; daughters Sandra (Dennis) Schott, Wenatchee and Lejoy (Don) Burleson, Cashmere; daughter, Linda (Mike) Limbeck, Cashmere, son, Robin Baird, Cashmere; six step children, Karen Fisher (Mike Pruett), Winthrop, Clifton (Kaye) White, Olympia, Laurel (Patrick) Thompson, Cashmere, James (Laurie) White, Wenatchee, Alicia (Don) Smith, Cashmere, Gus White (Julie Caldwell), Sammamish; brothers, Robert R. Baird and Roland Baird both of Cashmere; sisters, Mary Kimberling and Faith Hubbard both of Portland, OR; 15 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his infant son Randy, his brother Hale Baird and sisters Lucille Voyles and Ruth Ortiz. A Commemoration service will be held on Friday, July 22nd at 2:00 p.m. at the Cashmere United Methodist Church, 213 S. Division, with Pastor Cheryl Fear officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jay’s name are suggested to the Cashmere United Methodist Church for Kitchen Upgrades. Please sign in and leave a memory for the family by visiting his memorial at [email protected] . Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Memorial Chapel, East Wenatchee.