Lavall Baird

Lavall Baird 1933 - 2014
Lavall Baird, 80, of Bloomfield, Passed away Friday, April 4, 2014, in Aztec, NM. He was born on April 26, 1933, to Charles Walter and Darlin (Frame) Baird in Breen, (Hay Gulch) CO. Lavall grew up and lived with his family around SW Colorado until they moved to Silverton when he was in 3rd grade. He graduated from Silverton High School and attended Fort Lewis College, Hesperus Campus, on a basketball scholarship. Lavall claimed he taught them more than they taught him. Following basketball season, he was called to serve in the military, however, after an unexplained fire-drill during the physical examination lineup, the military decided he was too great of a risk. Lavall worked as a hard rock miner, logger, and prospector. He also tried his hand at bronc and bull riding. In 1956, after a brief courtship, he married Shirley Martz. Despite negative predictions, the marriage was happy and never boring for the next 58 years. They lived in Silverton until 1959 when they moved to San Juan County and he went to work for El Paso Natural Gas Company at Blanco Plant. They lived at Blanco Plant for 23 years. He then transferred to the Gobernador field and they moved to their farm in Bloomfield. Lavall retired in 1995, which allowed him time to pursue his passion of owning and training racing horses. He also enjoyed team roping and was a founding member of the Aztec Roping Club. Lavall loved and supported his family and was a wonderful husband, father, and brother. His love for his animals was unmatched and he always had several of them around. He never met a stranger and if you ever met him, you never forgot him. He will be greatly missed. Lavall was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Lanell Walter Baird; and grandson, Cody Bokatzian. Lavall is survived by his wife, Shirley; sons, Kelly and wife, Karen, and Cole and wife, Dell; daughter, Casey and husband, Nick Bokatzian; sister, Carla Vescovi-Dial; grandchildren, Clayton, Nell, Tel, and Sunni Baird, and Skye (J.B.) Holcomb; and great granddaughter, Finley Holcomb A reception will be held in Lavall's honor from 2-4 pm on Saturday, April 12, 2014 at Sunray Park and Casino, High Desert Room. The burial will occur this summer at the family ranch in Gunnison CO. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or your favorite charity. Lavall is in the care of Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St., in Farmington (505) 325-8688.