After 27 dedicated years as Russellville City Schools groundskeeper, Baird set to retire August 1st

When the Russellville Wrangler plant closed its doors 27 years ago, hundreds of employees who had given heart and soul to the company were suddenly faced with the harsh reality of being unemployed.

Among those dedicated employees was Ken “Pee-Wee” Baird. Baird was among those fortunate enough to find another job soon after Wrangler closed. He took a job at another local manufacturing plant but Baird didn’t see his new job as a career. It was a temporary stop as Baird hoped and prayed the right opportunity would come along.

And he didn’t have to wait long.

While he was enjoying a birthday party for one of his son’s friends, “Spanky” Hallman, Hallman’s mother Renay mentioned to Baird that Russellville City Schools needed to hire a groundskeeper.

With the assistance of Coach Perry Swindall, George Harper and Nancy Hamilton, Baird was hired as Russellville’s new custodial groundskeeper. It wasn’t just a new job—it was the career change Baird hoped for.

Seen most days on a riding mower wearing his trademark brimmed hat, Baird was a fixture on the RHS campus and grounds for 27 years. His tenure at Russellville City Schools remained through six superintendents of education—Robert Clemmons, Wayne Ray, Don Cox, Rex Mayfield, Heath Grimes and Tim Guinn. But all good things come to an end. And on the eve of his 62nd birthday, Baird decided to retire.

His final day, officially, will be July 31st, but with his accrued vacation time, he’s been off most of this month.

Baird treated the campus and grounds around the school complex with respect and care. When Baird was hired, Don Cox was still RHS Principal. Cox gave Baird some advice and, fortunately for him, Baird took it to heart.

“Coach Cox said he wanted me to take ownership of the school grounds and to treat it as if it was mine,” Baird said. “So I always wanted the campus to look good, especially when we had an event because how it looked was a reflection of me.

“I always tried to do my best, make it look good and have it nice when the public came to events on campus,” he added.

In addition to lawn maintenance, Baird maintained the shrubs and regularly did weeding, leaf removal or whatever else needed to get done. During the winter season, Baird received lists from principals of things they needed done on their campus, so he always had plenty to do.

Baird set an example for his own sons through the respect and pride he maintained in doing his job the right way. But Baird deflects much of the credit, attributing it to the administration’s willingness to purchase quality equipment that made it easier to get that pristine look Baird wanted.

“Any time I needed anything, it was always a ‘yes, go ahead and get what you need,’” Baird said. “And that goes a long way. They gave me the best of what I needed when I needed it.”

Good equipment may help, but RCS Superintendent of Education Tim Guinn said Baird’s work ethic and servant’s heart always showed in the result of his work.

“For decades, Ken Baird (as part of the RCS family, affectionately called Pee Wee) has been one of the many familiar faces that have made Russellville City Schools a special place of pride and beauty. Although much of Ken’s work took place behind the scenes and before the day’s first bell even rang, his impact was seen and felt by generations of students as they arrived to school each day,” Guinn said.

“On behalf of myself, the RCS Board of Education, our students and the entire community, I want to thank Ken for his unwavering commitment in service to others and we wish him the God’s speed in this next chapter of life called retirement. Forever Golden,” Guinn added.

The example and values he and his ex-wife Valerie conveyed to their two sons, Torey and Trevor, shine through in the men they’ve become. Torey was recently hired at Hatton High School as a health teacher and the Hornets’ new varsity baseball coach. Torey and his wife Danah have three daughters.

Trevor is employed as an engineer with Sinclair Oil. He and his wife Dayne live in Dallas.

Between Baird and his wife Belinda, they have four granddaughters, so he is looking forward to spending more time with them. When contacted last week for a telephone interview with the Franklin Free Press, Baird was enjoying an afternoon at the Russellville Splash Pad with his granddaughters.

And he won’t need a rocking chair any time soon. Baird started a lawn care service several years ago and he’s got around 20 regular customers. He’ll continue to take care of those lawns, Baird said.

Baird will also help Torey as a volunteer baseball assistant at Hatton, affording him the opportunity to stay involved in the game he loves. Baird was a Little League coach for several years before becoming the league president. During his tenure, Russellville youth baseball saw record numbers of kids and teams each spring.

School officials recently hosted a retirement reception in Baird’s honor. Family and friends will also gather next Saturday at Traditions Sports Deli to celebrate Baird’s retirement.

Spending eight hours in the sun doing lawn care isn’t appealing to everybody, but for Baird, it was ideal.

“I was really lucky and blessed to have a job like that. It was just perfect for me,” Baird said.

And with the pride and dedication Baird put into the job, it was the perfect hiring for Russellville City Schools as well.