Charles R. “Charlie” Baird, 94, of San Mateo, passed from this life on Sunday, February 25, 2018 at Haven Hospice Roberts Care Center following a brief illness. Born in Palatka, Charlie had been a lifelong resident of Putnam County where he graduated from Palatka High School in 1941. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp in 1941 and went through basic training at Paris Island, South Carolina, followed by 3 months of aircraft maintenance training in Jacksonville, FL. He was based in Saipan in 1944 during World War II and during this time obtained his commercial pilot’s license. Following his honorable discharge from the service in 1945, Charlie and Robert Anderson, a fellow Marine, formed Coastal Aviation and Cargo, one of the pioneer cargo freight airlines in the state of Florida. A book entitled “The Flyboys” was published detailing the story of the formation of Coastal and many of the adventures during its’ early years. Coastal was later sold to Shawnee Airlines and there Charlie continued to manage that business for several years before it was dissolved. He then managed and was in sales for Norman Edwards Institutional Foods. Following this, Charlie worked in several other occupations including as a salesman with Bainbridge Motors in Palatka, as co-owner with Rick Richter of B&R; Oil Company and then in real estate with Denny Floyd. In 1980, Charlie was elected to serve as County Commissioner of District 3 in Putnam County and was re-elected again in 1984 to serve another 4 year term. Charlie was also involved in the community as a Charter member and Past President of the Azalea City Kiwanis Club. He was recognized as a member of the Legion of Honor in Kiwanis and last September was named Kiwanian of the Year for his 60 years of service to the children of Putnam County. He had also been a life-member of Elks Lodge #1232, VFW Post #3349 and was a member of the San Mateo Recreation Center and the San Mateo Presbyterian Church. Charlie was also an outstanding athlete and played semi-pro baseball in the Florida State League with the Palatka Azaleas (a class D farm team for the Cincinnati Reds) during the late 1940’s. In addition to playing he also managed the team and was its last general manager in 1953. He also could un-officially broad-jump a greater distance than what was recorded in the college records. Charlie’s athletic ability also extended over to golf as he was an accomplished golfer and enjoyed his playing times as a member of the “Hastings Group”.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lilla Crosby Baird who died of cancer at a young age, his parents, Ira Baird and Otillie Kummer Baird, a brother, Walter Baird and a sister, Ethel Graves.
Charlie is survived by his wife of 37 years, Mary O’Steen Baird of San Mateo, 3 daughters, Weezie Smith (Tommy), Lulu Gail Parish Griffis and Jan Herrington (Richie), all of San Mateo, 4 step-children, Brenda Masters (William Revels) of Hastings and, Lynda Williams (Darrell), John Bass (Pam) and Greg Williams (Renee) all of Palatka, 17 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren as well as a sister-in-law, Louise Kail of Ocala.
Services celebrating Charlie’s life will be at 10:00 A. M. Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at Johnson-Overturf Chapel in Palatka with Pastor Don Mossa and Dr. Ken Johnson officiating. Burial with military honors by the U.S. Marine Corp will follow at San Mateo Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-7 P.M. at Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.
Flowers are gratefully accepted or the family requests memorial donations be sent to the San Mateo Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 57 , San Mateo, FL 32187 or to Rodeheaver Boys Ranch, 380 Boys Ranch Road, Palatka, FL 32187.
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Charlie’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.