Robert “Bob” Laird

Coffeyville -

Robert Amos “Bob” Laird, 87, of Coffeyville died Thursday morning, January 26, 2012 at Windsor Place.

Bob was born May 20, 1924 in Mayetta, KS to Amos and Mary (Martin) Laird. He grew up in Mayetta where he spent 13 years on a farm; he also attended his first 8 years of school in a rural one room school near Mayetta.  Bob then moved to Independence for 5 years, where he attended and graduated from Independence High School in 1942.

Bob joined the Army in June of 1943; he was sworn into service in Fort Leavenworth, KS and completed basic training in Amarillo, TX.  Bob completed Armament School at Lowry Field in Denver, CO, Gunnery School in Las Vegas, NV, and Overseas Training Unit at Florence AFB, SC.   After completing training Bob was assigned to the 5^th A.F. 417 Bomb Group 675 squad as a replacement crew.  While serving in the Army, Bob received many awards, but the most prized one was the Purple Heart.   Bob was honorably discharged from the Army in November of 1945.  

On October 11, 1952 he married Juanita Weaver in Bentonville, AR.  Following their marriage, they made their home in Neodesha until 1956 when they moved to Independence. In 1964 they moved to Coffeyville.  Juanita preceded him in death on April 14, 1999.

Bob was employed with the Missouri Pacific Railroad in Coffeyville for 38 years.  He retired from there as the agent of the Coffeyville Depot in 1984.

Bob was a member of the Tyro Christian Church where he began attending in 1978, and on September 27, 1979 he was immersed into Jesus Christ in obedience to Acts 2:38.  He was also a member of Joy Group, Sunday School, Robbins Cemetery Board, VFW, and American Legion.  He also enjoyed woodworking, golf, gardening, fishing and Bible study.

Survivors include two sisters: Carolyn Brinkmeyer of Bartlesville, OK and Nancy and husband Jene Dewey of Bartlesville, OK.  The Lairds had “adopted” families who provided several “Grandkids” and “Great-Grandkids” whom he loved deeply:  Kenny and Carolyn Daily and children, Dan and Linda Cook and children, Lon Betts and Patty Slatten and children, and Gerald and Suzy Watson and children.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.

Services will at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 30, 2012, at the Tyro Christian Church, with Evangelist David Bycroft. Burial will be in the Robbins Cemetery west of Coffeyville.

Friends may call on Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville, Kansas.

The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorials to the Tyro Christian Church Children’s Ministry; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.