FORT WORTH -- Marion Edward Laird, CWO-W4 (USAF Ret) 94, passed away from this life Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012, in Fort Worth.
Graveside service: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Greenwood Funeral Home.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Christian Care Hospice or Community Hospice of North Texas.
Born June 2, 1918, in Potwin, Kan. to John W. and Mamie (Wingate) Laird, he was one of five chidren. His family moved to Moultrie, Ga., where he graduated from high school with 12 years of perfect attendance. In 1942, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served as a flight engineer and top turrett gunner on a B-17 during WWII. Stationed in Framingham, England, he flew 19 missions before being shot down over Germany October 10, 1943. He spent the remainder of the war in Stalag 17b POW Camp. After 19 months he was liberated in May of 1945. He returned to Moultrie, GA, where he married the love of his life, Phyllis Geraldine Goff, December 25, 1945, and they shared 58 years together until her death on July 24, 2003. Together they had three children, Robert Thomas, Janice Kay and Cathy Jean. His lifelong service in the military took him to many countries, including France, Korea, and Japan. He retired from the Air Force in 1968, and worked in security for the K-Mart corporation for 10 years.
He spent his life proudly serving his country and his family. He was a Boy Scout leader, founder of Chofu Baptist Church in Chofu, Japan, a member of Rosen Heights Baptist Church in Fort Worth, and enjoyed camping and water skiing with his family. In his later years, he continued to bless his family and friends with stories of his military service, and his sharp wit and sense of humor. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. A hero to his family and to those he served, he will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Marion was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Estle and Emory Laird; sister, Mary Whaley; his wife, Geraldine; and great-grandchildren Connor Edward and Claire Margaret Bellamy.
Survivors: Sister, Annie Mae Lawson of Florida; son, Robert Thomas Laird and wife, Becky of Abilene; daughters, Janice Penwarden and Cathy Thomas and husband, Gary of Ft. Worth; grandchildren, Matthew Penwarden and wife, Cymbre, Beth (Laird) Bellamy and husband, Justin, SN Thomas Laird, USN, and Jacob Jackson; great- grandchildren, Alexis Blauvelt and Addison Penwarden, along with many nieces and nephews.
Published in Abilene Reporter-News on November 18, 2012.
Graveside service: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Greenwood Funeral Home.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Christian Care Hospice or Community Hospice of North Texas.
Born June 2, 1918, in Potwin, Kan. to John W. and Mamie (Wingate) Laird, he was one of five chidren. His family moved to Moultrie, Ga., where he graduated from high school with 12 years of perfect attendance. In 1942, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served as a flight engineer and top turrett gunner on a B-17 during WWII. Stationed in Framingham, England, he flew 19 missions before being shot down over Germany October 10, 1943. He spent the remainder of the war in Stalag 17b POW Camp. After 19 months he was liberated in May of 1945. He returned to Moultrie, GA, where he married the love of his life, Phyllis Geraldine Goff, December 25, 1945, and they shared 58 years together until her death on July 24, 2003. Together they had three children, Robert Thomas, Janice Kay and Cathy Jean. His lifelong service in the military took him to many countries, including France, Korea, and Japan. He retired from the Air Force in 1968, and worked in security for the K-Mart corporation for 10 years.
He spent his life proudly serving his country and his family. He was a Boy Scout leader, founder of Chofu Baptist Church in Chofu, Japan, a member of Rosen Heights Baptist Church in Fort Worth, and enjoyed camping and water skiing with his family. In his later years, he continued to bless his family and friends with stories of his military service, and his sharp wit and sense of humor. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. A hero to his family and to those he served, he will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Marion was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Estle and Emory Laird; sister, Mary Whaley; his wife, Geraldine; and great-grandchildren Connor Edward and Claire Margaret Bellamy.
Survivors: Sister, Annie Mae Lawson of Florida; son, Robert Thomas Laird and wife, Becky of Abilene; daughters, Janice Penwarden and Cathy Thomas and husband, Gary of Ft. Worth; grandchildren, Matthew Penwarden and wife, Cymbre, Beth (Laird) Bellamy and husband, Justin, SN Thomas Laird, USN, and Jacob Jackson; great- grandchildren, Alexis Blauvelt and Addison Penwarden, along with many nieces and nephews.
Published in Abilene Reporter-News on November 18, 2012.
FORT WORTH -- Marion Edward Laird, CWO-W4 (USAF Ret) 94, passed away from this life Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012, in Fort Worth.
Graveside service: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Greenwood Funeral Home.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Christian Care Hospice or Community Hospice of North Texas.
Born June 2, 1918, in Potwin, Kan. to John W. and Mamie (Wingate) Laird, he was one of five chidren. His family moved to Moultrie, Ga., where he graduated from high school with 12 years of perfect attendance. In 1942, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served as a flight engineer and top turrett gunner on a B-17 during WWII. Stationed in Framingham, England, he flew 19 missions before being shot down over Germany October 10, 1943. He spent the remainder of the war in Stalag 17b POW Camp. After 19 months he was liberated in May of 1945. He returned to Moultrie, GA, where he married the love of his life, Phyllis Geraldine Goff, December 25, 1945, and they shared 58 years together until her death on July 24, 2003. Together they had three children, Robert Thomas, Janice Kay and Cathy Jean. His lifelong service in the military took him to many countries, including France, Korea, and Japan. He retired from the Air Force in 1968, and worked in security for the K-Mart corporation for 10 years.
He spent his life proudly serving his country and his family. He was a Boy Scout leader, founder of Chofu Baptist Church in Chofu, Japan, a member of Rosen Heights Baptist Church in Fort Worth, and enjoyed camping and water skiing with his family. In his later years, he continued to bless his family and friends with stories of his military service, and his sharp wit and sense of humor. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. A hero to his family and to those he served, he will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Marion was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Estle and Emory Laird; sister, Mary Whaley; his wife, Geraldine; and great-grandchildren Connor Edward and Claire Margaret Bellamy.
Survivors: Sister, Annie Mae Lawson of Florida; son, Robert Thomas Laird and wife, Becky of Abilene; daughters, Janice Penwarden and Cathy Thomas and husband, Gary of Ft. Worth; grandchildren, Matthew Penwarden and wife, Cymbre, Beth (Laird) Bellamy and husband, Justin, SN Thomas Laird, USN, and Jacob Jackson; great- grandchildren, Alexis Blauvelt and Addison Penwarden, along with many nieces and nephews.
Published in Abilene Reporter-News on November 18, 2012.
Graveside service: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Greenwood Funeral Home.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Christian Care Hospice or Community Hospice of North Texas.
Born June 2, 1918, in Potwin, Kan. to John W. and Mamie (Wingate) Laird, he was one of five chidren. His family moved to Moultrie, Ga., where he graduated from high school with 12 years of perfect attendance. In 1942, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served as a flight engineer and top turrett gunner on a B-17 during WWII. Stationed in Framingham, England, he flew 19 missions before being shot down over Germany October 10, 1943. He spent the remainder of the war in Stalag 17b POW Camp. After 19 months he was liberated in May of 1945. He returned to Moultrie, GA, where he married the love of his life, Phyllis Geraldine Goff, December 25, 1945, and they shared 58 years together until her death on July 24, 2003. Together they had three children, Robert Thomas, Janice Kay and Cathy Jean. His lifelong service in the military took him to many countries, including France, Korea, and Japan. He retired from the Air Force in 1968, and worked in security for the K-Mart corporation for 10 years.
He spent his life proudly serving his country and his family. He was a Boy Scout leader, founder of Chofu Baptist Church in Chofu, Japan, a member of Rosen Heights Baptist Church in Fort Worth, and enjoyed camping and water skiing with his family. In his later years, he continued to bless his family and friends with stories of his military service, and his sharp wit and sense of humor. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. A hero to his family and to those he served, he will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Marion was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Estle and Emory Laird; sister, Mary Whaley; his wife, Geraldine; and great-grandchildren Connor Edward and Claire Margaret Bellamy.
Survivors: Sister, Annie Mae Lawson of Florida; son, Robert Thomas Laird and wife, Becky of Abilene; daughters, Janice Penwarden and Cathy Thomas and husband, Gary of Ft. Worth; grandchildren, Matthew Penwarden and wife, Cymbre, Beth (Laird) Bellamy and husband, Justin, SN Thomas Laird, USN, and Jacob Jackson; great- grandchildren, Alexis Blauvelt and Addison Penwarden, along with many nieces and nephews.
Published in Abilene Reporter-News on November 18, 2012.
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