James Richard Baird

James R. “Jim” Baird, age 78, of Elkhorn, died 5/3/16. Survived by wife Cheryl, children; J. Sean Baird, Colleen White, and Steph Baird, 5 grandchildren, and sister Patricia Karraker. Memorial services will be held Saturday, May 21, 11 AM at Lutheran Church of the Master, West Campus, 1200 N. 181st Court, Omaha. Gathering with the family will be Friday, May 20 at the church from 5-7 PM. Inurnment at Elkhorn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the church, or Special Olympics of NE. James Richard “Jim” Baird was born October 8, 1937 in Rock Island, Illinois to Richard and Grace (Dettmer) Baird. Jim grew up in Sterling, Illinois, graduating from Sterling High School in 1955. As a young boy, Jim was active in many sports, including basketball, track, and swimming. He was a lifeguard during the summer, and enjoyed fishing. Jim attended the University of Wisconsin on a track and basketball scholarship. He went on to earn his CLU degree in 1971 from the American College of Life Underwriters, then earned his CHFC in 1984, a Master of Finance degree in 1988, and a Master’s of Science in Management in 1989 all from the American College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. He used his knowledge and education to become a Senior Executive with Ohio National Financial Services. Jim was a proud father to Kimberly, Sean, Colleen, and his adopted daughter, Steph. He married Cheryl “Cheri” Elmgren on June 2, 1981 in Virginia, Beach, Virginia. Jim has made his home in Sterling, IL, Rockford, IL, St. Paul, MN, Montpelier, VT, and Birmingham, AL, before settling in Omaha, NE. Jim enjoyed reading, fishing, golfing, and watching documentaries about history, politics, and science. He was an enthusiastic “Bucky Badger” fan of the University of Wisconsin, and loved following the stock market. He was also a fan of the Minnesota Vikings, and enjoyed a good prime rib dinner, fine wine or vodka, and dinner out a Charlie’s on the Lake. He had no time for rude waiters, and hated taxes, and could often be heard saying, “It’s tough growing up”, or “It’s not easy to be the Sultan”. Jim cared deeply for his family, and was very proud of his son when he graduated from West Point, and cherished walking his niece, Susan down the aisle at her wedding. He loved taking his grandsons pheasant hunting, and was always looking forward to the next family reunion. He especially loved his adopted daughter, Steph. Jim also loved to travel, taking many trips for company conventions to places such as; Austria, Bermuda, Ireland, and Vancouver. He was very fond of his 25th wedding anniversary trip with Cheri to the countries along the Baltic Sea. Jim will be remembered as a very generous, intelligent man, and complex man. Jim died on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at the Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 78 years, 6 months, and 26 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, his nephew Richie, and a brother-in-law Richard Karraker. He is survived by his wife Cheryl, children; Kimberly Baird, J. Sean Baird, Colleen White, and Steph Baird, 5 grandchildren, and sister Patricia Karraker.

James Richard Baird

October 8, 1937 - May 3, 2016