LIGONIER – David Forrest Laird Jr., 68, of Ligonier, died April 10, 2013, in Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne. He died of complications from a heart attack. He was born Jan. 27, 1945, in Passaic, N.J., to David F. Sr. and Annie Roy Carson Laird. On Sept. 1, 1973, he married Debbie Hagen, who survives. In 1984, he started Laird Travel Co. with his wife and worked as CEO and chief marketer until his untimely death. He earned bachelor’s and a master’s degrees from St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas. He served in the U.S. Air Force at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, for four years, and he went on to join USAA. One of his many positions at USAA was as vice president of USAA’s Special Services. Also surviving are his parents, David and Annie Roy Laird; two daughters, Kelley and Jamie Laird; two grandchildren; and a brother, Thomas (and spouse Helene) Laird, Clark, N.J. He was preceded in death by a brother. A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Ligonier United Methodist Church, in The Mount, officiated by Pastor Byron Kaiser. Calling is from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at the church. Yeager Funeral Home, Ligonier, is in charge of arrangements. ***** Memorials may be given to Ligonier United Methodist Church for The CrossWalk.
