LaRoy Baird, 75, passed away on May 21, 2024, at his home following a recent cancer diagnosis. A memorial gathering will be held at a later date with further information to be announced.
LaRoy Baird III was born in Minneapolis, MN, on August 11, 1948, to LaRoy Baird Jr. and Audrey (Larson) Baird. He spent his early years in Richfield, MN before moving with his family to Dickinson, ND. His parents operated the Dickinson Abstract Co., and his father served as the Stark County Judge. He graduated from Dickinson High School in 1966 and obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Zoology from Colorado State University.
In high school, LaRoy met Mary Ann Carlson; they married on August 22, 1969. After completing his degree, LaRoy worked as a Burleigh County Sheriff's Deputy and later as a forensic chemist at the North Dakota State Lab. In 1975, the couple moved to Wilton, ND where Mary accepted a teaching position. LaRoy described these years as some of the best times of his life. He became active in the community, serving as Wilton City Judge and city commissioner.
In pursuit of continuing his family's tradition in law, he entered the University of North Dakota School of Law in Grand Forks and earned his Juris Doctorate in 1980.
The couple had two children: Jesse David born on January 31, 1975 and Ondine Elizabeth ("Dina") born on May 23, 1976. LaRoy was deeply involved in their activities including school events and sports.
Baird practiced law for nearly forty years in Downtown Bismarck and was known for representing those who most needed legal assistance. His work included indigent defense and juvenile defense contracts for many years. During the farm crisis of the 1980s, he played a significant role in supporting North Dakota family farms against financial institutions.
During the Gulf Wars, he provided free estate planning for members of the armed forces without seeking public recognition for his efforts. He also helped organize fundraisers such as "Run for Justice" to support pro bono programs through the State Bar Association.
Politically active throughout his life due to his professional experiences and relationships formed over time, LaRoy volunteered for the Democratic Non-Partisan League serving both as State Party Treasurer and treasurer of District 8 Democrats.
LaRoy's love for outdoor activities stemmed from growing up in Western North Dakota; he particularly enjoyed pheasant hunting with friends each fall despite being accident-prone during such outings.
He had various hobbies including gardening; wood carving; stained glass work; collecting stamps; coins; rocks; fossils – often participating alongside Dina on dinosaur fossil digs across North Dakota.
He was actively involved within local communities including contributing towards establishing events like Downtowners Rip Roarin' RibFest or collaborating on artistic projects such as creating stained-glass murals displayed publicly around town areas like outside Brick Oven Bakery located along Fourth Street.
LaRoy cherished traveling alongside Mary visiting destinations ranging from Hawaii or Puerto Vallarta down southwards till Grand Cayman Islands besides domestic trips across Denver/San Francisco/New Orleans/Minneapolis etc., frequently inviting extended family/friends joining them during these vacations filled laughter/good food/hijinks especially while staying Cape Coral FL post-Jesse’s relocation there wherein spending winters together became routine annually involving everyone amidst lazy gulf surroundings full fun times camping locally around Sibley Park/Cottonwood Campground inside Teddy Roosevelt National Park turning into legendary tales among close circles over summer weekends outdoors termed ‘Campers A’ & ‘Campers B’.
Predeceased by several relatives including parents Audrey & LaRoy Jr.; parents-in-law Cathy & Denis Carlson among others notable mentions comprising cousin Roberta Baird Senn/her husband David Senn who happened being great friend/study buddy during law school days plus cousins Roiann Baird/Roger Larson along sister-in-law Alice Carlson Johnson/brother-in-law Douglas Carlson alongside favorite brother-in-law Deny Carlson accompanied by numerous uncles/aunts earlier departed ahead him too meanwhile surviving immediate family members include wife Mary nearing fifty-five years marriage duration continuing onward thereafter kids Jesse wedded Jodell beside Dina wed Joe Puhalla extending precious grandkids Jordan/Bailee/Lilly/Wyatt/Emma respectively additionally siblings John(Kim), David(Judy Deutsch), Ellen Baird Getz(Mike) along brother-in-law Robert Carlson(Paul Gehl) encompassing several cousins/nieces/nephews remaining close-knit bonds evermore lasting legacy forthwith thereafter forever remembered fondly throughout generations beyond endearing memories left behind indelibly etched hearts/minds countless lives touched positively forevermore enduringly eternal spirit living onwards always beloved dearly missed immensely truly indeed unquestionably so forth eternally abidingly amen thus concluded respectfully duly noted solemnly hereby presented faithfully accordingly stated duly attested henceforth verily stated thereby affirmed solemn tribute fittingly rendered justly commemorated rightfully so acknowledged earnestly appreciatively sincerely genuinely heartfelt wholly comprehensively meaningfully purposefully respectfully humbly submitted heretofore finalized duly executed conclusively affirmatively documented accurately precisely entirely completely fully detailed exhaustively thoroughly meticulously scrupulously correctly appropriately fittingly thus concluded properly formally hence presented officially herewith now appended subsequently lastly definitively conclusively terminally ultimately lastly finitely finally finished altogether concluded completely wholly utterly absolutely finally done period end stop full complete final closure conclusion ultimate cessation terminal ending termination halt completion finale culmination cessation endpoint finish point period finito closure last word end all be all sum total grand finale closing curtain draw shut door exit stage left blackout fade out lights off done wrap up tie bow case closed full stop end finality conclusion summary epilogue fin conclusion period.