STEVEN M. LAIRD

STEVEN M. LAIRD Mueller's Chapel of the Falls Some say I'm going the wrong way When it's just a way of my own Away from the rest Steven Michael Laird peacefully left this earth with his loving family at his side on Friday, November 18th after a courageous months long battle against liver and kidney failure. Steven was born on July 28, 1978 at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, CA. He grew up in Riverside, CA. and moved to Kennewick, WA with his family in 1992. He attended Finley Middle School, Kamiakin High and Kennewick High, getting his GED (without studying, that's another story!) in 1997. He worked most notably at Callaway Gardens as a caregiver for over 5 years and found his work "family" at La Quinta Inn & Suites for the last 3. He loved to read (Dean Koontz was his favorite), fish on the levee near Bateman Island, drive or walk in Columbia Park, play video games and paintball, watch football and NASCAR. Go 'Hawks! Go Tony! He loved Tool, Ladybird, Goonies and Princess Bride. Figure that one out. To his family and friends, Steven was a strong, stubborn, gentle, honorable, loving and loyal man that usually had something to say (even if it was wildly inappropriate). To others he could be fearless and fearsome in his defense of those he loved or that could not defend themselves. Steven fought death the way he lived life - proud and strong with dignity and heart. Oh, did he have a heart. Steven is survived by his parents, Steven Wright and Catherine Diane (Walker) Laird, his brother Christopher Wright, his beloved partner Brandi Jo (Harris) Pevey, their son Orion Michael and daughter Evie Catherine Renee, Brandi's daughter Kayla June Pevey (whom he loved as his own) and his cat Buddy. We recently received word that he gave the gift of sight to two people in his passing. His beautiful eyes still see this world through his corneas in the eyes of others. If you know or meet someone that has recently had a corneal transplant, give them a big smile. You just might be smiling at Steven. Steven didn't like funerals, so we will be celebrating his life with family and friends at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the following organizations: Kayla and Orion have attended Cork's Place for over 3 years after the loss of their grandmother Renee Smith. To help kids that cannot afford to pay for Cork's Place please donate in Steven's name at: http://chaplaincyhealthcare. org/donors/corks-cares/ To celebrate Steven's love of animals please donate in his name to the Benton-Franklin County Humane Society at: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/1422602