John K. Laird, Sr.

John K. Laird, Sr., age 81, of Elkton, MD, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 27, 2024.

​Born in Washington, D.C. on June 23, 1943, he was a son of the late William K. and Eunice (Kellogg) Laird. Upon graduating from Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, MD, John attended University of Baltimore where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business. He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1963 where he proudly served his country.

John had an extensive career in engineering that included employment with Sunship Building & Drydock working on the Glomar Explorer and Airpax. He was also employed with Fairchild where he worked on a control box for the Hubble Space Telescope and its repair mission and for ILC Dover who are best known for making space suits for NASA. John then went on to teach at a Cecil County High School for one year.

He had numerous hobbies and interests. He inherited the hobbies of jewelry making and photography from his father. He served as a volunteer firefighter for several department over the years. He was a Boy Scout and served as a leader when his son was a scout. He dabbled in blacksmithing and making horse buggy whips. He volunteered as a historic silversmith reenactor at Fort Mifflin. He was an NRA certified pistol instructor and coach. He loved genealogy and the family tree he documented was extremely large. Later in life he learned how to drive a carriage and care for horses.  His affection for horses and several barn cats continued until his death.

John held active memberships with the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Robotics International, NRA, Rough & Tumble Historical Association, and the Brandywine Valley Driving Club. He was also on the Board of Directors for the Freedom Hills Therapeutic Riding Program.

​In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his grandson, Timothy Andrew Laird. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Charlotte (Thomas) Laird; son, John K. Laird, Jr. (Monica); grandsons, Joshua and Jeremian Laird; and brother, William Laird.

​A visitation for family and friends will be held from 1 pm until 2 pm on Sunday, January 5, 2025, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 2 pm. Interment will be held privately in Druid Ridge Cemetery, Pikesville, MD.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284 or online by clicking here or to the Fair Hill Foundation, P.O. Box 1324, Elkton, MD 21922 or online by clicking here.