Charles F Laird, retired Kansas legislator, died on January 20, 2025, at the age of 83. He was born in Topeka Kansas on June 4, 1941, one of five sons born to Don and Isabel (Hoffman) Laird. Charles graduated from Hayden high school where he was the president of the class of 1959. He then graduated from Washburn University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and the University of Maryland where he received a Master of Education degree. In 1964 he married Sue Melton who survives.
He was an Air Force ROTC cadet at Washburn and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He served six years in the Air Force during the Vietnam war and was honorably discharged a captain having served in Ohio and Okinawa in the 376th bomber wing. Laird served one four-year term on the Shawnee Heights school board (1971 to 1975) and served 16 years in the Kansas House of Representatives from 1972 to 1988. He was chairman of the insurance committee in the Kansas house for two years and served on the house education committee for 14 years. Governor Hayden then appointed him to the state board of tax appeals. He was a member of Who’s Who in government for 16 years. After he retired from Kansas State government, he became a substitute teacher in the Shawnee Heights school district and all of the Catholic schools in Topeka teaching kindergarten through 12th grade. In retirement, Charles and Sue moved to Viera, Florida where they have enjoyed welcoming guests from Kansas and all over.
Other survivors include three sons, Tim Laird (Rosemary) of Melbourne, Florida, Dan Laird (Suzanne) of Clive, Iowa, and Mike Laird (Katie) of Gardner, Kansas. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, Ben (Lauren), Madison, Anne (John), Maggie, Sarah, Morgan, Katherine, Adam, McLain and Sam. He also leaves behind brother Greg (Linda) Laird and Mark (Ellen) Laird. Welcoming him to heaven was his fourth son Patrick, his brothers Don and David, his parents, and many others.
Charles will be remembered as a faithful Catholic who loved his family, enjoyed teaching marriage preparation classes, being a master gardener, and as a patriot who loved his country.
A Parish Rosary will be prayed at 5:00 P.M., on Friday, January 31, 2024, followed by visitation until 7:00 P.M., at St. Matthew Catholic Church.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M., on Saturday, February 1, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 2700 SE Virginia Ave., Topeka, KS 66605. Burial with military honors will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery-Topeka.
Memorial contributions may be made to Right to Life at nrlc.org.
To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit, www.brennanmathenafh.com.
Arrangements entrusted to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.
