James Kermit Laird, Jr., age 85, of Darlington, MD died Tuesday, January 7, 2025. The husband of Ella Mae (Hughes) Laird, they celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on August 26, 2024.

A lifetime resident of Harford County, MD, Jim was born in Mill Green on October 25, 1939, the oldest son of James Kermit Laird, Sr. and Hazel Mae (Harkins) Laird.

After graduating from North Harford High School in 1958, he attended lumber grading school in Memphis before returning to Harford County to work in the "wood business" for the next 65 years, starting his own business as a buyer and seller of veneer logs in 1968, and ultimately forming Laird Logs LLC with his son, and continuing to work up until his death.

While he treasured family above all, he loved being on the move—sitting still was not in his genes. Car trips were a staple of family life, with almost annual trips to TN for over 60 years, and trips to visit friends and relatives from NH to NM. In his later years Jim started collecting Studebaker cars and pick-ups and joined several Studebaker and antique car and truck clubs. Jim and Mae, for many years, joined in car club runs and trips, traveling as far as Maine and Nebraska. He also entered his antique autos in local parades, winning many awards. Whether it was a road trip, or his weekly jaunts around town, he was always up to stop for ice cream.

Jim will be remembered by his friends and family as a man who always lived life to the fullest with a sharp sense of humor that never left him and a funny nickname for every person in his life.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children, Patricia Dawn Dunn and husband Joe, of Street, MD, Craig Laird and wife Patty, of Darlington, MD, and Stephanie Vaughn and husband Chad of Street, MD; and three grandchildren, Kaitlin Dunn and husband Will Frauenfelder of Falls Church, VA, Daniel Vaughn, and Emily Vaughn, both of Street, MD.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his only brother, Donald Laird.