Wayne Benton Laird
April 23, 1948 ~ March 28, 2016
Resided in:
Pueblo, CO
Wayne Benton Laird, 67, passed away March 28, 2016. Survived by wife, Michele Johnston; children, Rebecca (John) Gacnik, Dawn (Brian) Zenner and Shane (Debra) Taravella; grandchildren, Shelby, Aubrey, Zachary, Zarah, Isaac, Devin and Vinny. Preceded in death by daughter, Melissa Sue Laird; and parents. Wayne was born to Robert and Araletta Laird on April 23, 1948, in Pueblo. He was a Vietnam Veteran having served in the U.S. Navy from 1966 - 1969 and retired from the Pueblo Police Department after 28 years of service. Wayne enjoyed camping hunting and fishing. Cremation, Montgomery & Steward Crematorium. Memorial service, 11 a.m. Friday, Apr. 1, 2016, at Heritage Baptist Church, 2122 Overton Rd. In lieu of food and flowers, memorials may be made to Frontier Hospice, 4718 N. Elizabeth, Pueblo, CO 81008. Online condolences, www.montgomerysteward.com
Wayne was a wonderful guy and exceptional police officer. My condolences to all his family. God be with you.
Today we celebrate your life and morn your death. As I think about the first time we had the opportunity to meet, the least you could do is loosen the stupid handcuffs before tossing me in the back of the paddy wagon. All I did was borrow a few signs for a school prank…..
Flashing forward a few years, who knew you would end up with my pain in the a$$ sister, shane and the rest of this crazy family. It sure has been a heck of a ride and you sure hung in there, if I was in your shoes I would be asking God what have I done to deserve this type of punishment….
For your tough exterior, you sure were a big push over, humble, caring, loving and forgiving, always looking for the good in people, even the ones that everyone else had written off. Because of you, I will strive to use this trait to become a better man.
Well Wayne, God has added another good man to his army in heaven! I know you are enjoying being with all the ones that have gone before you and I hope it won’t take too long for you to get used to the no-smoking, non-drinking and no-cursing policy they have up there.
Thank you for all that you have done for our family, you will be dearly missed.
Until we meet again, I Love You Brother
PS. Put in a good word for me, I could use all the help I can get.
My deepest condolences to the family. I was honored to have worked with Wayne on the PPD. Wayne always looked great in uniform and he was a great role model for others officers, and he represented the PPD well. In fact he was selected to have his photo on the cover of the Department’s annual report one year. I learned a lot from Wayne and always had the greatest respect for him. May he rest in peace.
It was an honor and a joy to be a part of his “team”
Sending lots of love to Michele, Rebecca, Dawn, Shane and all the grandbabies during this time. Know you are loved always
Auntie Deb, Dale & Isabella Johnston <3 <3 <3