Bradley Dale Baird passed peacefully from this life on April 16, 2025 at his home in Boise, Idaho, succumbing to Metastatic Melanoma. Brad, 70, is remembered by his wife, 3 children, 6 step-children, and 17 grandchildren, his sister, Teri (Mack) Smith, as well as many other family members and friends. He previously lost both his parents and grandparents.
Brad was born in Burley, Idaho on October 16, 1954 to Dale and Norma (Nelson) Baird. After completing a year abroad in Australia, and graduating from Salmon High School, he served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in South Korea. On April 27, 1978 he married Joyce Day and together they raised three children, Ryan (Summer) Baird, of Phoenix, Arizona, Kim Brewer, and Jeff (Lara) Baird, both of Chandler, Arizona.
Brad married Connie Johnston in 2007, acquiring 6 step-children, Stephanie (Kenny) Morris, of Mesa, Arizona, Mark (Stephanie) Johnston, of Linthicum Heights, Maryland, Denise Davis, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Daniel (Anne) Johnston, of Washington, DC, Theresa (Matthew) Godfrey, of Amherst, Massachusetts, and Laura Johnston of Boise, Idaho.
Brad studied International Relations and Public Administration at Brigham Young University, working summers for the Forest Service. He worked for Idaho Health and Welfare for 18 years, then for Citicorp/JP Morgan Chase. Instead of retiring, Brad worked as an independent transporter delivering RV trailers to dealerships throughout the US and Canada, a job that provided the independence, adventure and travel that he so much enjoyed.
Brad was active in school and community sports, officiating for many years, in both football, basketball and baseball. He loved outdoor adventuring, rafting, fishing, camping and jeeping in the Owyhee mountains with his buddies. He loved driving the backroads of Idaho and knew how to find any small town, cozy diner with the best finger steaks, secluded hot springs or special camping spots. Brad enjoyed planning his next adventure and was well-known for cooking up a storm in the middle of nowhere! He was also a faithful member of the LDS Church, serving in many leadership positions. He was a friend to all, always willing to look on the bright side of a situation and let troubles roll off his shoulders. Those who knew him will remember that he had a great sense of humor and loved to tell stories. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
The family wishes to thank Brad’s team of doctors at St. Alphonsus and his hospice teams for the exceptional care and the sincere friendship extended to Brad in his final days. Please join them for a memorial service to be held at 3PM, Saturday, May 3rd, at the Colehaven Ward building at 1111 S Cole Road in Boise.