Leslie Abram Laird

Leslie Abram Laird, age 89, passed away peacefully at his home in Mesquite, Nevada, with his son, Steven, at his side.
Leslie or Les, as he preferred to be called, was born June 27, 1933, in Eureka, Nevada, to Abram Laird and Sybil Frazier. He was the second of 5 boys, George Franklin, Kenneth Eugene, Clifford Cedric, and Alton Jarrol, all preceded him in death, as did his parents.
While studying at Utah State University, he met the love of his life, Arlee Carolyn Reeder, and they were married May 27, 1958, in the Logan LDS Temple. Together, they have 4 children: Kevin Reed, Steven Reese, Leslee Ann, Paul Anthony. Arlee and Kevin, both preceded him in death.
Les received a master's degree in psychology from Utah State, with special emphasis on special education. He loved to teach and felt most at home in the classroom. He enabled students to feel empowered and accepted, regardless of their educational experience. No child was beyond help and Les proved it. Many of the students who worked with Les completed their educational goals. He never lauded over or condescended to any child. In fact, he would often get down on the floor to work with the students so that they would not be overwhelmed by his stature. He also recorded many textbooks for students who were audio-visual learners. After he retired to Mesquite, he spent many hours tutoring children of various grades. His students loved working with him and he with them.
Les was an avid sportsman. Les played basketball for Utah State and the College of William and Mary in San Francisco. After he stopped playing, he officiated baseball, softball, and basketball games. His booming voice left no question what he had called, and he never shied away from tossing an unruly player out of the game. He believed in sportsmanship and called each game fairly and accurately. He watched any sport on television and frequently pointed out missed or incorrect calls.
Aside from his teaching career, Les was also an accomplished house painter, having painted a lot of homes in the Brigham City and Mesquite areas. He worked with DA Olsen, Reed Burke and Dell Nichols and was known for the light blue Ford pickup truck with ladders anchored to a rack and a bed full of painting materials. He had a steady hand and never sprayed paint on a wall. He firmly believed that any job worth doing needed to be done accurately and to be done to perfection. He accepted nothing less than the best results he could possibly offer and with that, developed a reputation that followed him to Mesquite.
Les was a family man. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren meant the world to him. He would do anything to help them and was fiercely protective of both his children and wife. He never ended any phone conversation with his family without telling the person on the other end of the line that he loved them. He set an example of hard work, incredible work ethic, unconditional love, and giving to those who needed help.
He loved to talk and meet new people. He never met a stranger. Through his wit and sense of humor, he made people feel welcome, so long as they knew that some of his comments were done in jest. He delivered quips with a serious face and held the look if he was speaking with the person. Many people misunderstood his sense of humor, but he never changed his approach with people. He opened his home to anyone and never spoke a bad word about anyone. He did not care what religion, race, creed, sexual orientation, or nationality a person was. He believed in seeing people, period, and he taught his children to do the same.
Les loved to travel and he and his wife frequently took short staycations to Salt Lake City or some other close destination to spend quality time with his love. He and Arlee went to many plays, operas, orchestral performances, and attractions. For many years, he and Arlee attended the Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City, Utah. Later in life, he and Arlee traveled to San Diego and with his son, Paul, he went to many of the attractions that Southern California has to offer.
Les is survived by his sons: Steven Reese Laird, and Paul Anthony Laird (Mauro Alejandro Sanchez), and daughter Leslee Ann Laird. He is also survived by his daughter number two, Marcelene Grace White Cook (Eric). He is also survived by five grandchildren: Ashley Fitzgerald Brown (Jared), Zackery Steven Laird (Sarah Shaver), Skyler Steven Laird, Carrisa Ann Dominy (Donnie), and Jared Thomas Rasmussen. In addition, he is survived by four great-grandchildren: Ambrie Debra Brown, Macklyn Maureen Dominy, Berkley Ann Dominy, and Braxton Henry Laird. He is survived by his sister-in-law: Christine Bair Laird; nephews: Barry Laird (Lois) and Mark Laird (Susie); niece: Tammy Laird Martinz. He also has four fur grandbabies: Aidyn Laird, Casey Laird, Moose Laird, and Zig Zag "Ziggy" Laird.
Services to honor the memory of Les will be held Saturday, January 7, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Myers Mortuary, 205 South 100 East, Brigham City, Utah. There will be a viewing on Friday, January 6, 2023, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. and a viewing prior to the service from 10:00 – 10:45 at the Mortuary. Interment will follow in the Brigham City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity benefitting children's education, to a local animal shelter or to the Shakespearean Festival in Cedar City. The family wishes to express its gratitude to the Mesa View Home Health and Hospice for their excellent care in Les's final days on earth. The family also wishes to express its gratitude to Steven for the love and care he has provided his dad over the last 10 years.
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