Our faithful father, Ronald Hadley Baird, passed away on February 24, 2025. We are so grateful that we were with him as he crossed over to his next adventure. He spent 92 years on this earth serving and was so dedicated to his family.

Dad was born in Provo, Utah, to Joseph and Erma Baird. He experienced the great life in the once small town of Provo. He enjoyed sports of all types but had a special love for baseball. He attended Provo High School where he excelled in football and baseball, but more importantly he met the love of his life, our mom, Gloria Harding. Following high school, he made the decision to join the United States Navy. He served honorably four years and another four years in the Navy reserves. Dad and mom were married on April 18, 1953, while he was on leave from the Navy.

Returning home from military service he joined his father and brother in running the well-known café, Joe's Spic & Span, in Provo. He had a strong work ethic spending 10 hours a day, six days a week, serving great food to countless customers, good friends and many BYU athletes.

Dad was a man of quiet faith. He taught us love for God, family and country. We are so blessed to have been raised by devoted, loving parents that gave us all a modest living could provide. After selling the café in 1994, dad enjoyed spending priceless time with mom, grandchildren and playing golf with his buddies.

After mom passed in 2010, and subsequent passing of two of his daughters shortly after, dad was truly heartbroken, and his wellbeing slowly declined. He had so many wonderful, caring neighbors who were always there to help him. They loved him like a grandfather. In 2021 dad moved to Covington Senior Living in Orem. The amazing team and residents at Covington gave dad a new outlook on life. We can't adequately express the gratitude we have for the loving care he received at Covington. When dad was eventually moved to hospice care, he was genuinely blessed again by his loving nurse Heidi, his aids Joylyn and Lindsay, and his dear friend Jason, all from A Plus Healthcare.

Dad is survived by his daughter Michelle Olsen, his son & daughter-in-law, Ron & Kelly Jo Baird, six grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and his sister Bonnie.

Dad was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Joe, his beautiful wife Gloria, his daughters Barbara and Jeanne, his son-in-law James Olsen, and many of his lifelong friends and newfound friends at Covington Senior Living.

A gathering to celebrate dad's life will be held Sunday March 9, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 85 East 300 South, Provo, Utah.

A graveside service with Military Honors, will be held on Monday March 10, 2025, at 11:00 am at the Provo City Cemetery, 610 South State Street, Provo, Utah.