J.L. Laird Obituary (1918

J. L. "Doc" Laird entered into eternal rest on June 4, 2007, at the age of 89. He was born on April 29, 1918 in Brookhaven, MS to Jesse & Nettie Laird. He was preceded in death by his brother Roy Laird, his sister Winnie Nell Laird, and his son Dennis R. Laird. He will be missed by his loving wife L. Aleen Laird of 67 years, brothers Alton and Roland Laird, children David L. Laird, Carole Locker and husband Steve, daughter-in-law Debra, grandchildren Jeffrey Locker and wife Leslie, Lisa Berenguel and husband Jose, and Douglas Laird, great grandchildren Andrew and Mikayla Locker. His life continues in heaven and in our hearts."Doc" Laird always had a twinkle in his eye and a perpetual grin on his face. His nickname stemmed from his boyhood desire to be a doctor. He entered petroleum refining in 1940.He moved his family to Corpus Christi in 1952, at which time, he was a member of the engineering team that built Suntide Refinery. After being offered a job at the new plant in 1953 as a night superintendent, four years later, he was named manager and vice-president of the entire refining operation. Doc remained in the same capacity when Suntide was purchased by Koch Industries in 1981. Although Doc retired formally in 1983, he agreed to remain in a consulting capacity for four years. Among many community services, he served three terms on the Board of Trade, Port of Corpus Christi and was a board member of Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital in San Antonio. Doc was a member of First Baptist Church in Boerne and he enjoyed many wonderful friendships as a Boerne Rotarian, where he was the "official joke teller." The family extends a special thanks to Dr. Robert Schnitzler and his assistant Vicki, Dr. Jorge Munoz, Dr. Steven Kalter, and the nurses (especially Wendy) at Methodist Hospital ICU 4th floor unit. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 6, 2007 from 6 to 8p.m. at Vaughan's Funeral Home in Boerne, TX. A celebration of Doc's life will be held Thursday, June 7, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at Vaughan's Funeral Home with interment to follow at Mission Park North San Antonio. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Boerne Rotary Club Foundation, P.O. Box 492, Boerne, Texas 78006 or the charity of your choice. Pallbearers: Herschel Alston, Jerry Boyett, Bob Fleming, Holly Hairston, Douglas Laird, Jeffrey Locker, David Mayo, and Hilton Sherrod. Funeral Arrangements entrusted to Vaughan's Funeral Home of Boerne.