Randy A. “Rocket” Baird, 56, of Centre Hall, passed away on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at the Mount Nittany Medical Center. Born on June 25, 1966, he was the son of the late Richard A. Baird and Marilyn E. (Decker) Baird of Spring Mills. On April 9, 1994, he married Sheila May Wingard, who survives at home.
Rocket graduated from State College High School in 1985 and from the Maintenance Program at the Centre County Vocational Technical School. He worked for Davidson Brothers as a laborer for many years, but most recently, you could find him gathering carts at Wal-Mart.
Rocket was a member of the Penns Valley Community Church. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing, and was known as the “family mechanic”. He loved his vehicles, the older the better. He enjoyed working on them and admiring them, adding special ones to his “wanted list”. Some called him a junk yard junky because he liked to go to various yards and see what he could find. He was a free soul that enjoyed the wind in his hair as he rode down the road on the back of his Harley. He was a well liked man, always friendly, and known to be quite the jokester. He was kind, helpful, and loving. He was definitely the caretaker of his family, whether he was being an amazing big brother, protective husband and father, or taking care of his mom after his father passed, he took pride in fulfilling what he thought were his duties to his loved ones.
Along with his wife and mother, Rocket is survived by his two daughters, Karen Decker of Florida and Ashley Decker of Boalsburg; three brothers, David R. Baird and his wife, Misty, of Centre Hall, Tony L. Baird and his wife, Tangy, of Centre Hall, and Michael W. Baird and his significant other, Kay Immel, of Bellefonte; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Friday, September 23, 2022 from 11am – 12 noon at the Penns Valley Community Church in Spring Mills. A celebration of life service will follow at 12 noon with Pastor Tom Titus officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, Inc, PO Box 579, Centre Hall, PA 16828.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, Inc 228 S. Pennsylvania Ave., PO Box 579, Centre Hall, PA 16828. An online guest book can be signed or condolences to the family available at www.daughenbaughfuneralhome.com.