John David Laird

Beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend passed away peacefully on April 1, 2018 in his home from pancreatic cancer at age 53. He was surrounded by his loving wife, beautiful daughter, and family. John was born on October 28, 1964 in Denver, Colorado to William (Dale) Laird and Kathleen Ruth Coggins Laird. John married the love of his life, Yaneth Lobo Jacome on April 27, 2013 and together they had a beautiful daughter, Isabella Maria Laird, whom he cherished very much.

John grew up in Colorado, graduating from Buena Vista High School. He received a full-ride football scholarship to St. Mary of the Plains College in Dodge City, Kansas. John later transferred to Western State College in Gunnison, CO where he received his bachelor’s degree; in 1991 he received his master’s degree from University of Nevada Las Vegas. John moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he made his home and became very successful, spending over 30 years as an associate at Longust Distributing making his way from sales and sales management, all the way to the boardroom as acting COO.

John loved playing golf, enjoying the views from his back yard with family and friends, watching football, and traveling - especially to the Hawaiian Islands. Most of all, John had an incredible love for his wife, daughter, and family. John always pursued his dreams and was always positive, compassionate, understanding, happy, and smiling even under the most challenging circumstances. There was no one like John; he was an amazing man and an inspiration to everyone that knew him. His charismatic personality touched many lives. To meet him was to love him.

John is survived by his loving wife Yaneth and beautiful daughter Isabella Maria of Phoenix, AZ; his mother Kathleen Laird of Buena Vista, CO; his brother Randy Laird and his wife Monica of Littleton, CO; his sister Darleen Dennis and her husband Kenneth of Buena Vista, CO and his sister Joleen Cormier and her husband Glenn of Shalimar, FL; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. John was preceded in death by his father William (Dale) Laird, brother Raymond Rasmussen Jr. and brother Larry Neal Rasmussen. Funeral services will be held at the Sun Valley Community Church, 6101 S. River Dr. in Tempe, AZ 85283 on Saturday, April 7 with a visitation at 1:00 pm and Celebration of Life at 2:00 pm with a reception to follow. Chris Robilotto, Campus Pastor will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate John Laird’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

John, we will miss you and cherish your love for the rest of our days and your legacy will ripple through lives for generations.