Fallen TACAMO Veteran - Homer Lynn "Gary" Baird Sr. VQ-4

JULY 15, 1937 – October 6, 2018

Jay Jay Caruso's announcement: My long time friend and fellow VQ-4 shipmate Gary Baird passed away. I got a phone call from his wife Rose this morning. He will be greatly missed. Prayers for the family. He was one great caring person. RIP shipmate. Here is a tribute to Gary by Jay Jay

Homer Gary Lynn Baird

AKCS USN Retired

I first met Gary in VQ-4 in 1968. He was our Supply Chief and the one to go to get spare parts for the C-130 TACAMO birds. No matter what we needed he would find a way to get it. He was a Logistics Wizard on locating anything. We made several flights together to beg, borrow or steal parts that we couldn't get elsewhere. We both got transferred to the Naval Aviation Logistics Center (NALC) at NAS Patuxent River and eventually retired from there. He was my sponsor when I made Chief and I had to chauffeur him around PAX with a bicycle before my initiation. He retired before me and went to work for Collins Radio in Richardson, Texas which later became Rockwell International. . After I retired from NALC , he returned to Patuxent River for a meeting one day and said I'm looking for a few good men and would you be interested in coming to Texas and work for me as a Logistics Manager. It was a no brainer because Gary was a caring guy and looked after anyone who was his friend or worked for him. I have never regretting going to work for him. He was a kind loving husband to his wife Rose and Father to his family and many grandkids. I am truly going to miss him along with all the laughs and good times we had together. May you rest in peace Gary and thank you for being a great friend.

JJ Caruso

17 OCTOBER