Name: Visitation for Dr. John David Laida
Start: 2019-04-19T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2019-04-20T00:00:00.000Z
Location: First Baptist Church

Dr. John David Laida

Clarksville - Dr. John David Laida, age 99, of Clarksville, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at Arcadia Senior Living Clarksville.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 20, 2019 at First Baptist Church with Dr. Felts Dent, and Dr. Roger Freeman officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.

The Laida family will receive friends on Friday, April 19, 2019 from 3 to 7 p.m. and again on Saturday, from 11 a.m. until the hour of service at the church.

Dr. Laida entered into this life on July 22, 1919, in Skaneateles, N.Y. son of the late John and Susan Laida. He was a Veteran of The United States Army, a graduate of the Southern Baptist Seminary, and Gordon College. During World War II, he served as U.S. Army Chaplain in Europe. From 1960 to 1988, Dr. Laida served as the Pastor of First Baptist Church Clarksville. In 1980 he became the President of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. In 1984 he was Chairman of the Bicentennial Steering Committee and went on to serve as either a Board Member or Chairman of more than 25 organizations. Dr. Laida was a member of the Parking Authority, Planning Commission, Zoning Board, United Way, and held numerous positions of leadership. He was also a member of Clarksville Civitan Club for more than 50 years, and Chaplain Civitan International, 1966. Dr. Laida enjoyed woodworking, canning, and gardening.

Survivors include his loving wife of 73 years, Elizabeth "Lib" Laida; daughters, Deborah (Richard) Sawyer, Susan (Ed) Maywald, Connie (Kirk) Stem, and Gayle (Jeff) Cates; grandchildren, Elizabeth Grace (Jerome) Hertweck, Marilyn (Sam) Yahel, Jessie (Mat) Gladden, John Paul Maywald, David (Brandy) Cates, and Michael Cates, and six great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church Clarksville, 435 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN, 37040.

Condolences may be made online at www.NaveFuneralHomes.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Leaf Chronicle from Apr. 14 to Apr. 19, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for John Laida

Sponsored by McReynolds Nave & Larson Funeral Home.

11 Entries

April 20, 2019

Brother Laida came to 1st Baptist when I was a senior in high school in 1960. God raised him to be a great pastor and speaker. I had the opportunity to hear him speak at my present church and this is what I remember most . He did not use notes , even in his nineties. He was a blessing to our community. I pray that God will bless his family as they celebrate his going to his eternal home.
Carl Masters

April 19, 2019

My deepest sympathy to to the Laida family
Pastor Laida will always be remembered as a great family man and a man that loved God.

Donald Shinholster

April 18, 2019

My thoughts and prayers goes out to the Laida family and may the peace of Christ cover you with his Love during this difficult time. Love in Christ

Elinor Andrews

April 18, 2019

Prayers of strength are being prayed for each of you in the loss of our beloved Brother Laida. Thank you for allowing and sharing of him with each of us. Saw your daddy and mother not too long ago and his eyes and smile when I came in were precious. Brother Laida was/is my rock. He will be continually missed on earth but my what a reception in heaven when Bro. Laida was welcomed Home by our Jesus! I can see his smile now.
Love to each of you,

April 17, 2019

Lots of people have been blessed by the Laida family. Bro Laida's influence has led and guided us through all stages of life. He was my pastor for over 25 years, married Kathy and I, baptized both of us and was a great spiritual mentor. We love the Laida family and send our condolences.
Steve & Kathy Slate

Ray Lloyd

April 17, 2019

Dear Lib, It has been many years since our paths crossed, but how well I remember the days when you and John and Sue and Ansell and Gretta and I had great fellowship together. john was a great preacher and now has joined the fellow saints and servants in the heavenly Kingdom. I am deeply thankful for his friendship over the years. We were fellow Yankees from NY who found a home among Southern Baptists. God bless and comfort you during these days. Ray and Gretta Lloyd

Leigh Hall -Lilly

April 15, 2019

Jessie Beth, Sending my condolences to you and your sweet family. So sorry for your loss. Your Heritage is deep and God will bless you until you are joined together again. Love ya girl! Leigh (Brittney's aunt)

Marie Ruddle Hamilton

April 15, 2019

Bro Laida was our pastor in the 1950's. He baptized me. I recall the girls well, and how we hated to see them all move! Later he was our interim pastor in Paducah. (Both he and Lib never seemed to age! ) Bro Laida was a great man with great stories! He never seemed to use any notes! He explained the Word of God so that anyone from 5 to 95 would understand it!

John Laida will be lovingly remembered by all who knew him. Sending my heartfelt sympathy to each of you.

BJ Wiseman

April 15, 2019

Elizabeth and family:

So sorry to hear about your grandpa. What a blessing to have him for 99 years. Sure are thinking of you and your family.

Hugs and Prayers, BJ

Betsy Corbin

April 14, 2019

I was a teenager when my family joined First Baptist Church. I never will forget the many things I learned from Brother Laida. My condolences to the Laida family. Know my tears honor you and your father's memory.Betsy J. Corbin

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