David George "Dave" Laird

David George "Dave" Laird of Rio Rancho, a New Mexico resident since 1957, passed away on July 10, 2024. He was 79.

He was born on March 8, 1945, in Duluth, Minnesota, to Ralph Hall Laird and Ruby Irene (Lawien) Laird. He and his family moved to Albuquerque in 1957, where he graduated from Sandia High School in 1963. After a year at the University of New Mexico, he enlisted in the United States Navy in early 1965.

Dave retired from the Navy in 1993 as a Senior Chief Aviation Electronics Technician (E-8) with Air Warfare Designator. During his 28-year Navy career, he was privileged to be able to visit such places as the Philippines, most of Europe, and the Middle East. He spent tours on the USS Nimitz and USS Saipan. During his tours with the Naval Aviation Electronic Service Unit at NAS Oceana, Virginia, he had the privilege of being aboard every aircraft carrier in commission from 1988 to 1991, as the only active-duty technical representative in the Navy for certain pieces of electronic equipment that were on every carrier. Among his awards during his period of service are a Navy Commendation Medal, two (2) Navy Achievement Medals, seven (7) Good Conduct Medals, Vietnam Service Medal, and enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist wings.

Since his retirement from the Navy and return to New Mexico, Dave was employed with two other businesses prior to joining Woodworker's Supply of New Mexico, from which he fully retired in 2010. He was an accomplished woodworker and master cabinetmaker, and designed and built most of the furniture and all of the cabinetry in his home, as well as all of the cabinetry , as well as additions to his home and two buildings on his property. He was the ultimate handyman, and even when his body was idle, his mind was on the next task or next project facing him. There were few projects that stumped him or were beyond his skill and abilities.

Dave and his wife owned D&N Specialties, providing laser cutting and engraving, custom cabinet design and building, and renovation/repair services for large woodworking machinery all over central New Mexico. He loved to travel, and with his wife had made extended trips to most parts of the United States, as well as to Mexico and the Caribbean.

Mr. Laird is survived by his wife, Nancy Williams Laird, whom he married on March 5, 1983; one son: Kyle David Laird and wife Gina of Myrtle, Mississippi; two daughters: Deanna Laird Garcia and husband Sean of Mesa, Arizona; and Amanda Kate Laird of Rio Rancho. He also leaves five grandchildren: Meagan Williamson of Gallatin, Tennessee; Cody Truett of Memphis, Jonathon Laird of Oxford, Mississippi; Jason Laird of Fort Stewart, Georgia; and Emily Rose Mitchell of Mesa, Arizona; five great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter. Also surviving are his wife's sister Sally Casey of Union City; and his nephew Michael Derr (and family) of Minneapolis, Mr. Laird was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Dorothy Alice Laird Derr, and his grandson Jeffrey David Laird.

Mr. Laird will be cremated. A memorial service with full military honors will be held on July 17, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., at French Mortuary, 9300 Golf Course Road NW, Albuquerque. Visitation with the family will take place during the hour before the service.

The family would like to acknowledge Dr. Neda Hashemi at the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dr. Sara Lutz and her team at the VA Medical Center for their gentle and loving attention to Mr. Laird during his final illness; the nurses at AmberCare Home Health hospice who provided their gentle and loving care; and special loving thanks to Marilyn LaFleur, Marshall Katz, and Beth Irizarry for their emotional support to Dave and his wife and family during this time of loss.

The family asks that any memorials in Dave's memory be directed to the Navy Relief Society, Wounded Warriors Project, or the charity of your choice which is primarily established to benefit service members and their families.