Charles Elbert Laird

Charles Elbert Laird was born January 24, 1919 in Dallas, Texas to Edna Virginia Andrews Laird and William Oscar Laird. The family moved to Uvalde, Texas where Charles spent his early childhood. His father took a job with the Southern Pacific Railroad and moved the family to Houston, Texas. Charles attended school in Houston and graduated from Jefferson Davis High School in 1937. He played football and ran track while in high school. He began his college education at the University of Texas in the fall of 1937. During a break from college he worked for Petty Geophysical Engineering Co. working in Oklahoma, Alabama and Wyoming. He entered the Air Force in 1941 and graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Class of 42-D in Stockton, California.

Charles met Frances Lorene Boucher in Alva, Oklahoma in 1940 while working for Petty. They were married June 5, 1942 in the Paine Field Chapel near Everett, Washington.

His group of Army Pilots flying B-25s flew to the South Pacific on March 2, 1943 where they were engaged in World War II. He received the Air Medal and several Oak Leaf Clusters for his performance during flying missions. He returned to the United States in May of 1944. He was assigned to Boca Raton, Florida and was later assigned to Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. He served as a pilot and as an engineer in Research and Development. After eleven years in Dayton, Ohio he was assigned to the University of Texas to work on his degree. In 1958 he returned to active duty and was assigned to Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York. He retired in 1961 after twenty years as a military officer and pilot with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

The family then moved to Austin, Texas. Charles finished the few hours he needed to graduate as an electrical Engineer. He worked for the City of Austin as a power Engineer and retired from the Electrical Department in 1981.

After retiring, Charles spent the next several years building a retirement home in the hill country southwest of Austin. The family spent many happy hours living next to nature and enjoying visits from family members.

In 1999, Charles decided to give up country life and he and Lorene moved to a retirement living apartment at the Heritage at Gains Ranch (now Brookdale Living) on July 30, 1999. They made many new friends and enjoyable memories there.

Charles was proceeded in death by his wife Lorene, son Robert Arthur, mother, father, two brothers and three sisters.

He is succeeded in death by his sons, Charles Elbert Laird Jr. and wife Carolyn of Dallas, Texas, Ronald William Laird and wife Mary of Lawton, Oklahoma, and Philip Eugene Laird and wife Patti of Austin, Texas; grandchildren Joseph B. Rozier and wife Sheryl of Galveston, Texas, Kenneth Scott Laird of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Joanna Laird Hanna and husband Tom of Lawton, Oklahoma, Benjamin Charles Laird of Lawton, Oklahoma, and Rebecca Dawn Laird Forgette and husband Scott of Lawton, Oklahoma, Sarah Elaine Laird Mitton of Birmingham, England, Nicole Allison Laird of Dallas, Texas, and Mark Charles Laird and wife Ashley of Austin, Texas; and great-grandchildren Katelyn Lorene Hanna and Austin Thomas Hanna, Gavin William Reinbold, Samantha Mitton and Charlotte Mitton, and Lacie Laird.

Charles was a member of the Methodist Church since his childhood. He served as a board member, a choir member, and was a faithful member that supported his church. He also spent many hours supporting activities at the Heritage at Gaines Ranch where he spent the last years of his life. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.