In Memory Of
David Laird
1946
2012
David Laird
November 26, 1946 — April 16, 2012
David Laird, 65, Topeka, passed away on Monday, April 16, 2012 after a long illness.
He was born November 26, 1946 in Topeka, the son of Isabella Hoffman Laird and Donald L. Laird Sr.
David graduated from the old St Joseph Grade School and Hayden High school and attended Washburn University, all in Topeka. At the time of his death he was attempting to earn his degree in Psychology from Central Michigan University.
David was proud of his Scots-German heritage. His Great Grandfather, Thomas Hoffman was killed in 1899 during construction of St Joseph German Catholic church, a Topeka landmark at Third and Van Buren streets. David grew up in the shadows of the spires of St. Joseph's.
David joined the Navy in 1968 and made three Vietnam cruises as a Radarman aboard the aircraft carrier
USS Ticonderoga. He also travelled to many places such as Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Hawaii, Wake Island and he sailed many of the waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Upon his discharge in 1972 he returned to work as a dispatcher for the Topeka Police Department, and later combined with Shawnee County, retiring as a 9-1-1 Supervisor in 2008.
He was a member of American Legion Capitol Post 1, the VFW and the USS Ticonderoga Veterans Association where he was their webmaster and built their first website. Ill health forced him to retire from that position in 2010. David never considered himself a patriot; rather, he was patriotic toward the country he loved. He flew his flag proudly every day. When he was able, he planted small American flags by the mail boxes in his cul de sac.
David can be remembered by many as the man on his small scooter on Kings Row Road puttering in his lawn and garden with his two beloved Boston Terriers, Baby Doll and Rebee close by his side.
David is survived by his life partner, Maureen "Moe" Johnson; children Brian of Lenexa, KS, Rebecca and Matt (Miranda) of Topeka; stepchildren Amber (Jay) Huggins, Topeka, Jake (Heather) Johnson at Kunsan AFB, Korea, and Matt Johnson also in the Air Force in Topeka. He is also survived by ten grandchildren and four brothers, Don (Kay), Charles (Sue), Greg (Linda) and Mark (Ellen) all of Topeka. He was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Ann, in 1943. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 19, 2012 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 3rd and Van Buren. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. David will lie in state at the church after 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, with a parish rosary at 5:30 p.m. Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the church. Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
David requests donations to be made to Sacred Heart-St. Joseph Parish, 227 SW Van Buren St. Topeka, KS 66603.
He was born November 26, 1946 in Topeka, the son of Isabella Hoffman Laird and Donald L. Laird Sr.
David graduated from the old St Joseph Grade School and Hayden High school and attended Washburn University, all in Topeka. At the time of his death he was attempting to earn his degree in Psychology from Central Michigan University.
David was proud of his Scots-German heritage. His Great Grandfather, Thomas Hoffman was killed in 1899 during construction of St Joseph German Catholic church, a Topeka landmark at Third and Van Buren streets. David grew up in the shadows of the spires of St. Joseph's.
David joined the Navy in 1968 and made three Vietnam cruises as a Radarman aboard the aircraft carrier
USS Ticonderoga. He also travelled to many places such as Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Hawaii, Wake Island and he sailed many of the waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Upon his discharge in 1972 he returned to work as a dispatcher for the Topeka Police Department, and later combined with Shawnee County, retiring as a 9-1-1 Supervisor in 2008.
He was a member of American Legion Capitol Post 1, the VFW and the USS Ticonderoga Veterans Association where he was their webmaster and built their first website. Ill health forced him to retire from that position in 2010. David never considered himself a patriot; rather, he was patriotic toward the country he loved. He flew his flag proudly every day. When he was able, he planted small American flags by the mail boxes in his cul de sac.
David can be remembered by many as the man on his small scooter on Kings Row Road puttering in his lawn and garden with his two beloved Boston Terriers, Baby Doll and Rebee close by his side.
David is survived by his life partner, Maureen "Moe" Johnson; children Brian of Lenexa, KS, Rebecca and Matt (Miranda) of Topeka; stepchildren Amber (Jay) Huggins, Topeka, Jake (Heather) Johnson at Kunsan AFB, Korea, and Matt Johnson also in the Air Force in Topeka. He is also survived by ten grandchildren and four brothers, Don (Kay), Charles (Sue), Greg (Linda) and Mark (Ellen) all of Topeka. He was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Ann, in 1943. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 19, 2012 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 3rd and Van Buren. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. David will lie in state at the church after 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, with a parish rosary at 5:30 p.m. Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the church. Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
David requests donations to be made to Sacred Heart-St. Joseph Parish, 227 SW Van Buren St. Topeka, KS 66603.
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