James Alan Baird

Jim grew up and attended schools in South Haven, Michigan. He joined the U.S. Navy at age 17, and he served on the USS Gurke as a radarman. After the Navy, Jim moved to Brownsville in 1969 to work for a maquiladora. He worked at Valley Buick, which became Cardenas Motors as the general manager and eventually moved to Scottsdale, Arizona to join Coulter Cadillac.

In 1993, Jim received a heart transplant at University Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona. Being one of the longest surviving heart transplant patients on record, he survived 23 years. After retiring in 1994, he returned to Brownsville, Texas.

Jim was an avid reader and enjoyed nature photography. His favorite pastime was traveling the highways of the United States and the backroads of the Rio Grande Valley. Those fortunate enough to know Jim will remember his love of life and people. He never forgot a name or met a stranger. He will be loved and missed.

Mass of the Resurrection will be held Friday June 24, 2016 at 11:30 am at Sacred Heart Church. Honorary pallbearers are Renato E. Cardenas, Harry E. McNair Jr., Rene Cardenas, Rick Cardenas, Steve Patin, Oscar Garcia and Danny Lopez.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The University of Arizona Foundation – Sarver Heart Center – Transplant Research, Attn: UAHS Development Office, PO Box 245018, Tucson, Arizona 85724 or to The Sarver Heart Center online.