John Scott Baird

John's Beautiful Story

With great sadness, we announce the passing of John Scott Baird, born on October 18, 1961, in Tucson, Arizona. He passed away on August 29, 2022, in Geneva, Illinois.  He was a beloved and dedicated father, husband, brother, son and friend.

John, along with his parents, two older sisters, and grandma, spent their time together going on picnics, going for rides, playing cards, traveling, and always celebrating holidays. They moved from Tucson to Scottsdale, Arizona in the mid-1960s. As a young boy and throughout his life, John enjoyed being outside with friends. He spent time hiking, fishing, and hunting. He also enjoyed sports. Baseball was definitely his favorite. He would sneak off to watch the Cubs when they were at The Scottsdale Stadium for spring training. John also enjoyed playing football and was a huge football fan.

At the young age of 20, John experienced a serious health challenge when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He spent months surviving radiation and radical chemotherapy. This experience gave John his perspective on living a life of no regrets. He knew from that point forward he would live a life without looking back.

John traveled the world, exploring and making international friendships. He got the opportunity to coach football overseas in Nottingham, England. He worked for Club Med in Corfu, Greece, as a Group Organizer. John spent time doing stunt work with horses on the movie sets of The Man from Snowy River and The Gambler. He can be found playing a fifties character in the music video Yah Mo B There.

Perhaps John's favorite position was being a Santa Helper. He embodied the spirit of Santa Claus and he brought many joyful moments to children and their families for 30 years. From the City of Scottsdale, McCormick Railroad Park, all the way to St. Charles, Illinois, are where he made his most endeared moments serving as Santa for all children.

John graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. After graduating, he taught for Scottsdale's School District for 13 years. John loved all aspects of teaching. He was very instrumental in continuing to develop service-learning programs and taught his students that ALL students could serve. John earned a Master's Degree in Educational Administration while teaching in Arizona. John served as the Assistant Superintendent of Operations for St. Charles School District 303 in St. Charles, Illinois, for 17 years. Most recently, John was serving as the Director of Operations for Glenbard District 87 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

John married Ronda on Valentine's Day, 1997. They enjoyed driving the dirt roads along the Mogollon Rim, country dancing, and hanging out at the pool. Their marriage was truly blessed by the birth of their son John Scott (2006), and their daughter Josephine Isabella (2009). As a family, they enjoyed going to the park, and small-town ice cream shops, attending sporting events, vacations, playing games, and building bonfires in the backyard.

John was larger than life. He filled the room with just his presence alone. John valued the people in his life above all else. John was a loyal, intelligent, funny, and caring man. He was dedicated to the greater causes and was counted on for his insight and level-headedness and he was the go-to guy in any emergency. He truly lived a life of integrity. His generosity and kindness knew no bounds, never meeting a stranger. His infectious smile could light up an entire room and warm heart touched the world in so many ways. John made a difference in so many people's lives. He loved and cared deeply about his relationships and anyone whose path he crossed.

John was a true servant leader and an inspiration to everyone he met. Yet John did not seek recognition for himself. He was often quoted as saying, "I'm just a guy."

John is survived by his wife Ronda Baird, son John Scott Baird, daughter Josephine Isabella Baird, sisters Debra Ann Baird (Don Stallings), Lisa Lynne Bishop (Joe Bishop). He was predeceased by his father, John Baird (2000), and his mother, Joan Baird (2015), his beloved grandmother Josephine Tomiczek (2006).

A Celebration of Life will be held for John on October 18, 2022, at Obscurity Brewing at 113 W. North St., Elburn, Illinois, from 4:00-8:00 pm.

Funeral Services were handled respectively and lovingly by Sam and Jacqui Finch of Finch Funeral Home & Crematorium in DeKalb, Illinois.  You may visit the website to leave the family an encouraging message www.finchfuneralhomedekalb.com .