Colley Blair Baird was born on September 26, 1951 in Scotia to Harvey and Juanita “Fame” Baird. He joined older brother Jesse and soon after became the big brother to Griff and Tana. He was raised in Rohnerville and attended Fortuna High School, graduating with the class of 1969. During this time he was figuring out who he was and demonstrated his character many times, even refusing to cut his long hair to remain on the football team. He also found his love for music, picking up his brother’s guitar one day and never looking back. He played in bands all throughout high school, quickly growing in skill and it was clear to all around him he had a gift, not only in music, but also in entertainment. He knew how to WOO a crowd, and created an atmosphere everywhere he went that only he could.

After graduating from high school he was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned home a young man looking for love. He met Kathy Bice and together they welcomed Colleen, their first child into the world and he immediately felt the change that fatherhood brings. He loved being a father and it was clear to those all around him. Several years later, after the relationship with Kathy had ended, he met Patti Mogni. Colley and Patti brought his son Chandler, and youngest daughter Keely into this world. His kids were everything to him. They enjoyed many adventures and created memories in their many years together. He coached Chandler’s soccer and t-ball teams and pushed Chandler to pursue tennis and various scouting ventures. When Keely was young he coached her in softball and traveled with her to all her games, near and far! He loved watching her play and was, to this day, her biggest fan.

Colley finally found the woman he would spend the rest of his life with one day as she was picking weeds out of her gutter, Phyllis was literally his girl next door! She remembers him being her “Tom Selleck” – his mustache and dark features made us all do a double take! Colley and Phyllis each had three children from their prior relationships, but they never let on that they were step-parents. Colley loved her kids, Roxie, Reena and Ross as if they were his own. They were married on July 1, 2000 and with their combined 6 kids became the “Baird Bunch” (even though no one called them that!).

Colley and Phyllis traveled the world together, collecting spoon rests wherever they went. His favorite place to visit was the New England coast. He even had lobster from Maine shipped out several times over the years so he could enjoy it again. During these years he never stopped being the outdoorsman he was, often taking trips with his best friend and father, Harvey, to go fishing, abalone diving, and hunting. He loved to come home and feed his family his prized bucks, or chukars he would disguise as “baby chickens” so his picky daughters would eat them. Each day he learned how challenging, and yet rewarding fatherhood was, and in having all of their children in one house he developed his love language of cooking for everyone. In the midst of all the chaos and life and sports and activities that six kids brings, he reserved Wednesday nights for family dinner often welcoming in his children’s friends as well and sharing his delicious meals with them. In retirement he would cook lunch for his wife every day, and would make special meals for each grandchild when they would visit.

In addition to being the most talented chef and musician, he stayed physically active all throughout his life, playing tennis and golf and going to the gym.

As the years went on he welcomed his grandchildren, and quickly fell in love with being known as “Papa”. His oldest daughter Colleen brought him his first grandchild, Cari, and his other children soon followed suit bringing more grandbabies. For a few years he found himself with two sidekicks, Grace and Hope, where he’d drag them around on every errand he had with Grace reading aloud from the backseat. He created their tradition of getting ice cream at Rite-Aid on the first Tuesday of the month, but because he was the best Papa, he would splurge on other occasions as well! When taking his three grandsons to the fair he complained about the price the entire time, but spent it anyways and didn’t have any regrets. Colley loved being a Papa more than anything else in the world, and it was clear to those all around him. He had a soft spot for his family and spread his love with every act.

Colley took his last breath around 1 a.m. on July 2, 2023, surrounded by loved ones and hand-in-hand with his wife. We will be gathered to celebrate his life on July 23, 2023 at 1 p.m. at Calvary Chapel in Fortuna, California.

Colley is survived by his wife, Phyllis Baird, and his children Colleen Baird, Chandler Baird, Keely Baird, Roxie Christiansen (Zach), Reena Powell (Brent), and Ross Young, his siblings Jesse Baird, Griff Baird (Wanda) and Tana Bryan (Jerry), his grandchildren Cari, Kelly, Shania, Raime, Cole, Grace, Hope, James, Max, Sam, Emma, Jacob, Nicholas, and Jesse, and his great-grandchildren Bladen, Baylon, Brighton, Ashton, and Aiden, and numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved very much. Colley is predeceased by his mother Fame and father Harvey. We love you Papa.

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John 6:39-40

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.

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