Michael M. Baird went home on March 10, 2024. Visitation will be at 10am, Thursday, March 21st, 2024, followed by funeral services at 11am at North's Funeral Home, 242 Orange Street, Abilene with Pastor Brad Nichols officiating. Burial with Military Honors will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Merkle. Michael was the fourth son of long time Abilene residents Lloyd Clarence and Geneva Juanita Baird. Born in Merkel, Texas on November 12, 1947, he always had a talent for "deviling" his mother. Running the farm barefoot and playing in the creek were favorite pastimes and stories he loved to share with his family. At 18 he enlisted in what he called the greatest military branch, the Marines. Boot camp, getting married to his high school sweetheart, Joann Carter, and then being stationed in Cherry Point, NC. Here he had two sons: Michael Dale and Richard Kevin. After the service his career took off with Motorola and the birth of his third son Steven Wayne. Eventually moving to Corpus Christi, TX and taking an early retirement from Motorola he went into business for himself and opened Centronix. Meeting his second wife Rani Kay Vickers and growing his business and loving and supporting his family were the cornerstone of Michael's life. Michael loved his bonus children Brian Tate and Jennifer Lea. Michael was always the life of the party! From being an elephant at a crowded restaurant or trying to set up his grandchildren with the waiters, Michael never met a person he couldn't or wouldn't talk to. Michael was proceeded in death by his parents Lloyd Clarence and Geneva Juanita Baird. His brothers Dale, L. C. and Terry Baird. He is survived by his wife Tootie, his brother Ronnie (Diane) and his children Dale, Rick (Maria), Steven (Kasie), Brian, and Jennifer (Adrian). He leaves behind 14 grandchildren who he considered his greatest blessings. Condolences for the family may be left at www.northsfuneralhome.com.