By: Mowery H.R. No. 367
73R4325 NBM-F
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The many friends and relatives of Vernon Baird were
1-2 deeply saddened by the death of this prominent Fort Worth
1-3 businessman on January 9, 1992, at the age of 71; and
1-4 WHEREAS, A native of Fort Worth, Mr. Baird was born into the
1-5 bakery business as the grandson of the founder of Mrs. Baird's
1-6 Bakeries, Mrs. Ninnie L. Baird; and
1-7 WHEREAS, Devoted to the baking business, this successful
1-8 businessman was instrumental in the growth and success of the
1-9 family company, which during his lifetime became the largest
1-10 family-owned bakery in the country and the leading bread baker in
1-11 Texas; and
1-12 WHEREAS, As a schoolboy, Vernon Baird began working in the
1-13 Fort Worth bread plant where he held many positions, from helper on
1-14 a bread truck to bread wrapper; as a young man he attended Rice
1-15 University, was graduated in 1942, and served in the U.S. Army on
1-16 the staff of General Dwight Eisenhower during World War II; and
1-17 WHEREAS, Following the war, Mr. Baird returned to the bakery
1-18 business and quickly moved up through the company, advancing from
1-19 salesman to fleet superintendent, and later held the positions of
1-20 office manager, assistant manager, and ultimately general manager
1-21 of the Fort Worth bread plant; and
1-22 WHEREAS, In 1963 Mr. Baird was elected executive
1-23 vice-president of Mrs. Baird's Bakeries and in November 1969 became
1-24 president of the company; in 1978 he was elected chairman of the
2-1 board and in 1989 assumed the responsibilities of treasurer and
2-2 chairman of the executive committee; and
2-3 WHEREAS, Recognized nationally for his knowledge of the
2-4 bakery business, this exceptional individual was a member of the
2-5 American Bakers Association where he served on the executive
2-6 committee and later as vice-chairman and chairman; in addition,
2-7 Mr. Baird was elected chairman of the Wheat Industry Council in
2-8 1980; and
2-9 WHEREAS, Throughout his entire career in the bakery business,
2-10 Vernon Baird was held in high esteem by his colleagues, as well as
2-11 by all the employees in the company, and he made a special effort
2-12 to keep in daily contact with each one of them; and
2-13 WHEREAS, Mr. Baird was a loyal and patriotic Texan who
2-14 contributed his time and talents in public service to his beloved
2-15 state as a member of the State Board of Education for 19 years,
2-16 from 1960 to 1979; and
2-17 WHEREAS, Also a devoted and loving family man, Vernon Baird
2-18 and his wife, Marcella, raised four children, two of whom followed
2-19 him into the family business; and
2-20 WHEREAS, This outstanding gentleman will long be remembered
2-21 for the many significant contributions he made toward the
2-22 betterment of his community, state, and nation during his long and
2-23 rewarding life; though his presence is gone from us now, his unique
2-24 spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of the many people
2-25 whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it
2-26 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas
2-27 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Vernon Baird and
3-1 extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife,
3-2 Marcella Marrs Baird; to his children, Janet Baird Quisenberry,
3-3 Jerrell Baird, Jim Baird, and Judy Baird Johnson; to his brothers,
3-4 Allen Baird, Carroll Baird, and Arthur Baird; to his sister, Betty
3-5 Baird Garrett; to his eight grandchildren; and to the many other
3-6 friends and relatives of this fine man; and, be it further
3-7 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-8 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
3-9 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
3-10 Vernon Baird.