Joel “Joe” Laird, 71, of Kountze, died Sunday, April 17, 2016.  He was born on December 18, 1944, in Kountze, to Beatrice Poole and Edward Ellis Laird. He was an avid deer hunter and fisherman, spending most of his weekends in the woods. He also enjoyed mowing his yard and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Sylvia Laird; children, Melissa McMillan and her husband, David Fregia, of Lumberton; Jody Laird and his wife, Renee, of Kountze; Randy Laird and his wife, Jackie, of Nacogdoches; and Candy Laird of Beaumont; nine grandchildren; siblings, Myrtie Jane Fore of Silsbee; John “Buddy” Laird of Carthage; Talbert Laird of Silsbee; Arthur Laird and his wife, Linda, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Retter Haines and her husband, Claude, of Humble; and Elizabeth Irene Brown and her husband, John Michael, of Kountze; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Tom Fore; and sister-in-law, Reba Jean Laird.

A gathering of Mr. Laird’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at Broussard’s, 530 West Monroe, Kountze.  His funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, April 21, 2016, at Broussard’s, with his interment to follow at Old Hardin Cemetery, Kountze.