Mark Alan Laird

Mark Alan Laird, 54, of Piedras, Carlsbad, NM, passed away Monday, June 23, 2014 at his home. Visitation will be 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Wednesday, June 25, 2014 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, June 26, 2014, 10:00 AM, at Hillcrest Baptist Church with Pastor Ken Engledow officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Gardens Memorial Park, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Mark Alan Laird was born June 17, 1960 in Roswell, NM to Bob and Janice (Brasher) Laird, moving to Carlsbad when he was two weeks old. Mark attended Carlsbad schools, graduating in 1978 from Carlsbad High School, where he played football and starter at 3rd base for the Carlsbad Cavemen. Mark at age 10 made an unassisted triple play in Shorthorn baseball and made All Stars several times. He went to college at Eastern Arizona on a baseball scholarship. Mark went to work for AMAX Potash mines and played on their men's softball team. Mark was privileged to coach has two beautiful children, Amanda and Jacob and their football, baseball and softball teams including being assistant coach for the Carlsbad High School Cavegirls softball team. He coached the well known "Hot Spots" girls for many years as well. Mark was an avid hunter and fisherman and had been a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church since he was 6 years old. He married Renee (Dennis) McGuire in 2007. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Fate Brasher, Jessie Maxwell, Oleta Shafer and Hulyn Shafer. Survivors are his wife, Renee Laird of Carlsbad, NM; daughter, Amanda Laird of Hobbs, NM; son, Jacob Laird of Big Spring, TX; three step-children: Trent McGuire of Las Vegas, NV, Morgan McGuire and grandson on the way of Albuquerque, NM, Ryan McGuire of Carlsbad, NM; parents: Bob and Janice Laird of Carlsbad, NM; sister, Toni Foreman of Carlsbad, NM; nephew, Seth Tanner of Carlsbad, NM; niece, Whitney Warminski of Amarillo, TX and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Pallbearers will be Chris Koop, Kevin Rucker, Jacob Laird, Joker Nicholas, Rob Christianson and Bill Johnson. Honorary pallbearers are Oscar Maldonado and Ryan McGuire. Memorial contributions may be made to Carlsbad Foundation, fund of your choice, 114 N. Canyon Street, Carlsbad, NM 88220 or New Mexico Baptist Children's Home, P.O. Box 629, Portales, NM 88130. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com