Honorable Baird

Honorable Jerome Belcher (Jerry, J.B.) Baird TUSCALOOSA Retired Judge and practicing attorney J.B. Baird was born in Roanoke, Alabama, on August 2, 1941, and later moved with his mother, five sisters, and brother to Tuscaloosa. Jerry graduated from Tuscaloosa High School in 1959 and from the University of Alabama School of Commerce and Business Administration in 1964 with a BS degree. He received his LLB degree from the University of Alabama School of Law. After graduating from law school, he practiced with his father-in-law, the late Gordon Davis, until 1971. He was elected Tuscaloosa County District Judge in 1972. He was appointed Domestic Judge by Governor George Wallace in 1975. In 1976 he was elected without opposition as a Tuscaloosa County Circuit Judge. In 1982, Jerry was elected by his peers as Presiding Circuit Judge for Tuscaloosa County. After 19 years serving the State of Alabama and Tuscaloosa County, Jerry Baird retired as Judge and went into private practice. Judge Jerry Baird was a member of the Alabama Bar Association since 1967, a member of the American Judicial Society, a member of the Alabama Circuit Judges Association, and a member of the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association. Judge Baird served two brief stints as a temporary Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. He also taught business law in the U of A School of Commerce and Business Administration. He was elected by his peers as a Pillar of the Bar in April 2010. He retired from his law practice in March 2011 to go home and be with his loving wife and family. He served his community and state with honor and respect for our legal system for over 44 years. He will be missed. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mamie Belcher Baird of Tuscaloosa; his father, James Thomas Baird Sr. of Roanoke; his son, John Patrick Baird of Tuscaloosa; his brother, James T. Baird of Tuscaloosa, his sister, Jeanne Baird Harris of Mobile, and brothers-in-law, Skipper Couch of Fayette, B.B. Hughes of Birmingham, Robert Mizer and Harel Tucker of Tuscaloosa, and Warren Harris of Mobile. He is survived by his wife, Melanie T. Baird of Tuscaloosa; daughter, Angie Davis Baird of Tuscaloosa; son, Thomas Jordan Baird of Birmingham, daughters, Lindsay Davis Baird and Suzanna Kate Baird of Birmingham; daughters, Lauren Elizabeth Johnson and Mary Martin Johnson, both of Tuscaloosa; grandchildren, Joshua Baird, Allie Baird, Caroline Baird, and John Davis Baird, all of Tuscaloosa; his sisters, Jacqueline Baird Tucker and Joyce Baird Mizer of Tuscaloosa, Janet Hughes Holt (Frank) of Leeds, and Janelle Couch Brendel (Wayne), of Fayette; his sister-in-law, Katherine Baird, of Tuscaloosa; his mother-in-law, who so lovingly helped to take care of Jerry, Peggy H. Taylor of Tuscaloosa; and brother-in-law, Al Taylor of Tuscaloosa. Jerry had many loving nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and many dear friends. Jerry was loved by all of his family and friends and will be greatly missed. He leaves a legacy of love, humor, and fond memories for everyone to cherish. Jerry was known for his quick wit and fun-loving ways. He genuinely loved everyone, and he served his city and state with a firm, just, and fair hand. Pallbearers will be his nephews, Jason James Baird, Harel W. (Pete) Tucker Jr., Steven Baird Tucker, James Curtis Tucker, Brett Davis Couch, Scott Baird Couch, John Mark Hughes, and James Wesley Hughes. Honorary pallbearers are Anna and Larry Adams, Honorable Brad Almond, Dr. J.D. Askew, Bill Branch, Lacon Carver, Mike Cartee, Honorable Joel R. Chandler, Honorable Joseph Colquitt, Mike Comer, Honorable Scott Coogler, Dr. Keith Debell, William J Donald Jr., William J Donald III, Honorable W. Scott Donaldson, Honorable John H England Jr., Richard Ellis Sr., Dr. Scott Fulgham, Jim Gentry, Honorable James C. Guin III, Tom Hammond, Honorable Herschel T. Hamner, Jimmy Hamner, Dr. and Mrs. J.W. Harrell, Dr. William Hill, Ken Holtzhaus, Honorable John Karrh, Kim Kliner, Honorable Phillip N. Lisenby, Honorable Charles R. Malone, Honorable Hardy McCollum, Clint Mountain, Delaine Mountain, Stan Murphy, Richard Pearce, Robert Prince, Penelope Pruett, Gene Richardson, Candy Southern, Jim Standridge, Tim Thompson, nurses and caregivers of Hospice of West Alabama, and members of the Tuscaloosa Bar Association. Services will be held Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Downtown Tuscaloosa with burial to follow at Tuscaloosa Memorial Park. Dr. Charlie Durham of First Presbyterian will preside over the service and Thomas Jordan Baird will present the eulogy. The family will receive at First United Methodist from 12 to 2 p.m. Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home South will direct the funeral service and handle all arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice of West Alabama, First Presbyterian Church, American Heart Association , or Project Blessings. Published in Tuscaloosa News from March 11 to March 12, 2012