LAIRD, Gene Orville

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 10/19/2012 Gene O. Laird, 83, resident of Alpine, died Oct. 13, 2012 in Glendale. He was born Sept. 17, 1929, in Phoenix, the son of Orville and Lucille Moss Laird. Gene served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1948-53. He worked as a sheetrock taper for Pete King until retiring in 1987. Gene had intended to make the Coast Guard his career. At the time of his discharge, he was an engineman 1st Class, receiving a Good Conduct Medal. He enjoyed hunting, NASCAR and his dogs. He is survived by his son, Jerry Lee of Waddell; daughters: Donna G. Pinkerton of Phoenix, and Karen A. Olson of Glendale; brother Jerry Lee Laird of Payson; sister Ruby Jacobs of Phoenix; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Gene was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Ann Laird (2008). Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Alpine Community Center in Alpine. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burnham Mortuary of Eagar handled arrangements. Send an online condolence at website www.burnhammortuary.com.