Merrill Fredrick Baird

Merrill Fredrick Baird, age 87, passed away peacefully of natural causes on Sunday, September 22, surrounded by loving family members in his home in Mansfield, Texas. He was diligently loved and cared for in his last days by Marie, Robert, and Trudy, his stepchildren, to whom we are eternally grateful. 

Merrill was born August 5, 1937, just after his twin, Marshall Baird. They were the first of two sets of twins born to Merritt Marshall “Samm” Baird and Alene Russon of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Merrill and his twin were naturally mischievous children and had remarkable stories to tell, which grew taller as the years went on, with debate as to who was the instigator.

Merrill graduated from East High School in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1955. He then went on to serve a proselyting mission with his twin in West Germany from 1958-1960. He also served in the US Army National Guard.

Upon his return, he attended the University of Utah, earning his degree in Special Education. Soon after, he met and married Kay Eakle with whom he had two sons, David and Michael. He later married Melinda Bunker with whom he had six children. In 1997, he married Jolene Vivian Bradfield Brown, with whom he settled in Texas to live out the rest of his days, happily becoming a beloved stepfather to all six of Jolene's children.

Merrill was a true patriot and loved his country. He had a passion for music and a love of nature, and above all, he loved the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He authored multiple papers, which were eventually published in a book, revealing his ever-growing and deepening understanding and testimony of the grand design of life on earth and its eternal purposes for mankind. He was adept at telling "Dad Jokes", no matter how bad they were, or how many times he had told them. He was a soft-hearted soul who deeply loved his family, and who will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his father "Samm", his daughter, Nicole, his son, David, his mother, Alene, his daughter, Monica, his beloved wife, Jolene, and most recently, his identical twin brother, Marshall. He is survived by his brothers, Tom (Sue) Baird and Charles (Barbara) Baird, his children, Michael Baird, Annette Baird, Margaux (Kraig) Lodge, Neil (Laurie) Baird, and Lorien (John) Lyde, his stepchildren, Russell Brown, Trudy (Grant) Johnson, Robert (Marie) Brown, Gregory (Shayne) Brown, Barbara (Nathan) Hughes, and David (Laureen) Brown, as well as 29 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren, and his cat, Romeo, as well as countless friends and neighbors. 

Services will be held in both Texas and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Texas services will be held on October 19th, 2024, at 10:00 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 3921 Turner Warnell Rd, Arlington, TX 76001. Lunch will be provided for his family members following the service.

The Salt Lake City, UT service will be held on November 2nd, 2024 at 10:00 AM at the Garden Park Ward meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1150 Yale Ave S E, Salt Lake City, UT 84105 

Finally, Merrill’s life’s work was his book, entitled “Our Time of Life: What Experience Teaches”. In Lieu of flowers, nothing would honor or please him more than to have anyone wanting to pay their respects do so by purchasing his book. If you would like, please go to this link on Amazon.com to pick up your copy.

Our Time of Life: What Experience Teaches

If you wish to send flowers, please send them to the family's home at 8001 Sierra Estate Cir., Mansfield, Tx. 76063.