Charles Jefferson Laird, 91, passed away April 6, 2006, at Crestview, Florida.
C.J. was born December 25, 1914 in Euchee Valley on the old homeplace to Ed and Mical Laird. He was a life-long resident of Walton County, living most of his life on “Laird Hill.” He is preceded in death by his wife, Estelle, son, Gene Laird, and grandson, Greg Laird.
Laird is survived by two sons, Ronald, and wife, Ruby Laird, Larry and wife, Pat Laird; two daughters, Rebecca and husband, Zane Welch, and Cynthia Reddick, all of DeFuniak Springs; daughter-in-law Sally Laird, of Galveston, TX. He is survived by twelve grandchildren, Stephen Laird, Tray Laird, Brenda Welch, Dana Welch, Kenneth Welch, Kevin Laird, Eric Laird, Nicholas Laird, Erin Cranford, Courtney Laird, Michael Reddick, and Jason Reddick. He also is survived by eighteen great-grandchildren; sister, Minnie and husband, Oscar Harrison, of DeFuniak Springs; brother, Lewis and wife, Louise Laird, of Denton, TX; brother, Herbert, of Austin, TX, and many nieces and nephews.
Laird graduated from Walton High School in 1936. He retired from Eglin A.F.B. in 1975 after 17 years of civil service. He continued working for many years in his gardens and shared vegetables with family and friends. He loved traveling. His warmest memories are the times he spent with Estelle in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. He loved life and people, worked hard, loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was always ready for a hug but is now welcomed into the arms of Jesus.
Laird was a member of Euchee Valley Presbyterian Church all his life. He asked that memorials be made to the Euchee Valley Cemetery Fund, your favorite memorial, or flowers are welcome.
Funeral services were held Saturday, April 8, 2006 in the Chapel of Clary-Glenn Funeral Home, with Dr. Jack Walchenbach officiating.
Laird’s grandsons served as pallbearers.
Burial followed in the Euchee Valley Cemetery.
[Source: The DeFuniak Springs Herald, April 13, 2006, Page 7-B]
[Burial: Euchee Valley Cemetery, Eucheeanna]