Bruce Laird

Bruce Laird, born October 17, 1948, in Cordova, Alabama died at his home in Trenton, TN on Saturday, March 28, 2026. He was born to Edgar Texas Laird (a wild Texan) and Claudine Laird (a Cherokee woman from Alabama). He was the 7th of their 11 children. He graduated from Pine Forest High School in Fayetteville, NC in 1967 and from Bethel College in McKenzie, TN in 1999. He joined the Army in 1967 and served two tours in Viet Nam. He was a man who loved and served his country for over 30 years, as a soldier and working as a DOD civilian working in support of soldiers. He worked at the Milan Army Ammunition Plant from 1985 until her retired in 2012. Bruce was responsible for bringing the Moving Wall (travelling replica of the Vietnam memorial in DC) to the Milan City Park several years ago. In between the Army and Civil Service, Bruce worked in the construction trade and worked on everything from building homes to nuclear power plants. He loved to laugh and always had a story and a joke handy.

Bruce is survived by his wife Karen, son Daniel and his wife Chelsea, daughter Jennifer, and three granddaughters, Kaya, Allie, and Sophya. He is also survived by 3 of his sisters - Elaine (North Carolina), Lucy (Florida), and Jo (South Carolina) and their families. Bruce loved his family - they were his pride and joy. And let's not forget his dogs - Oscar the Laid Back, Maggie the Neurotic, and Molly the Tornado! I won't mention the chickens...

Bruce was a member of the Milan Cumberland Presbyterian Church where he served as Deacon, Elder, and Sunday School teacher. Door locker, cook, grass mower, and baby lover. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the CP Church in Milan, TN, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Chapter 18-9 (they help veterans in need and have tons of fun riding loud bikes).

He travelled the world and lived life to the absolute fullest. He loved God, his family, and people. He will be greatly missed.

A celebration of life will take place at 1:30 PM Thursday at the Milan Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Visitation and fellowship with the family will take place in the Milan CP Church Fellowship Hall from 12:00 PM until service time on Thursday.