Eatonton - Michael Paul Baird — affectionately known as Mike, Uncle Mike, Mikey P and Judge Baird of Eatonton, Georgia — passed away peacefully on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, after an eight-month battle with Cholangiocarcinoma cancer. He fought a courageous battle and maintained his kindness, compassion, and love of family and friends to the very end. Mike inherited his father's analytical mind and his mother's warmth, compassion and friendly personality. He never met a stranger and he made our lives brighter just by being in them. His happy place was Lake Sinclair and his favorite hobbies were traveling, boat riding and entertaining friends and family.

Mike was a true public servant. Mike served as a police officer from 1986 to 1990 and subsequently graduated from Georgia State University College of Law in June 1992. Upon graduation, he opened a general practice law firm in Morrow, Georgia. In July of 1993, he joined the Clayton County Solicitor's Office. In 1996 he was elected Chief Judge of the Magistrate Court of Jonesboro, Georgia serving in this role from 1997-2004. He then served as a judge in the Municipal Court of Jonesboro for several years. In August of 2006, Mike accepted a Senior District Attorney position in the Appalachian Judicial Circuit.

In April of 2009, Mike was appointed by the Attorney General of the United States to serve as an Immigration Judge with the U.S. Department of Justice. In 2020, Mike was appointed to serve as an Appellate Immigration Judge on the Board of Immigration Appeals. He loved being a judge and excelled at it. He was kind, courteous and professional to all.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Dianne Crow Baird and Clifford Elmore Baird of Georgia, survived by sisters Andrea Baird Allen (Peter) of Marietta, Georgia and Ellen Baird Rozar (Tim) of Warner Robins, Georgia, niece Elise Allen Mecredy (Michael), nephew Clifford A. (Cal) Rozar (Hannah), great nieces, Evelyn Mecredy & Millie Rozar, great nephew Braden Mecredy.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025 at Sharon Church in McDonough, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Red Cross, St. Jude Children's Hospital or plant a tree in remembrance of Mike.

Moores Funeral Home & Crematory has charge of arrangements.