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Submitted: 10/16/20 • Approved: 10/17/20 • Last Updated: 10/20/20 • R1344175-G0-S3
July 31, 1930 - Jan 18, 2009
Dr. Dean Laird, a native of Arkansas County, went to be with the Lord, Jesus Christ, Jan. 18, 2009, on what would have been his mother's 100th birthday. Dr. Laird was born July 31, 1930, near Lodge's Corner. To the great surprise of his parents William McKinley and Bessie Laird, he was a twin.
Dr. Laird was preceded in death by his parents. His survivors are his wife, Brenda Sewell Laird, their children Bill Laird, wife Tonita, Bob Laird, wife Julie, Linda Laird Wilkerson, husband Mark, Ray Tipton, wife Shauna, their grandchildren, Blake and Brooke Laird, Elizabeth and Michael Wilkerson, and Sydney and Shelby Tipton, his sister Imogene Oliver, and husband John, two nephews, one niece, and his in-laws from his wife's family.
Dr. Laird grew up on a farm near Crocketts Bluff where life centered around Shiloh Methodist Church and the farm. He helped his father with rice farming and raising cattle. He would raise a calf and enter it each year in the local 4-H contest.
He attended a one-room schoolhouse at Brough. His teacher, Mrs. Eunice McGraw, taught all grades. He would not only do his schoolwork, but also the schoolwork of older students. This allowed him to advance an extra grade in one year. Dr. Laird's parents instilled in him the belief that he could achieve anything he wanted in life.
At the ripe old age of 13, he started driving a truck his father had converted into a bus, loaded with local students to DeWitt for school. At DeWitt High, he excelled in academics and sports. Travel back and forth to the farm did not allow time for practicing football, so he moved into a rooming house so he could be a DeWitt Dragon.
After high school and serving as a MP in the Army, he attended Henderson State Teachers College in Arkadelphia where he played football for the Reddies and Coach Duke Wells. He graduated from Henderson with a Bachelors of Science in Education. He then attended the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and received a Masters of Education in School Administration.
Inspired by Mrs. McGraw and Coach Wells, he returned to Arkansas County to teach and coach in the Stuttgart school system. After a few years of teaching, he became the principal of Stuttgart Junior High. He coached the area American Legion baseball team to the state championship. He was so proud of these young men.
He left Stuttgart to enter the University of Tennessee Dental School. During that first year he was elected President of his class.
Upon his graduation, Dr. Laird returned to Stuttgart and opened his own practice. He would serve the citizens of the Grand Prairie for 40 years. During these years he served as the President of the Southeast Arkansas Dental Association, was a member of the Arkansas Dental Association Peer Review board, and was elected to the Stuttgart School Board where he served a term as President. He retired in 2006.
Dr. Laird was a long time member of First Baptist Church of Stuttgart and the Shepherd Sunday school class.
Visitation will be at Turpin Funeral home at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22. Funeral services, officiated by Dr. Sam Roberts, will follow at 2 p.m. with burial in Lone Tree Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Marvin Hagaman, Don Koch, J.W. Green, Donnie Duch, Sterling Sloan, John C. Knoll and Larry Marshall. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Jerry Sparrow, Derrell Cox, Pat McMahen, Dr. Jim Duke, Dr. Kirby McGraw, Dr. Willie Crabtree, Dr. Shelby Woodiel, Jerry Black and the Shepherd Sunday school class.
Memorials can be made to First Baptist Church of Stuttgart or the American Cancer Society.
Photo courtesy of Annette Shaw
Contributed on 10/16/20 by hawkinsdonna48
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Record #: 1344175