James H. Laird

Obituary of James H. Laird James H. Laird (Jim) of Center Conway, NH, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2026, at Memorial Hospital after a short illness. He was 86 years old. Jim was born in San Diego, California, the son of Capt. (USN) George H. Laird Jr. and Catherine Palmer Laird. As the son of a naval officer, Jim lived in many different places during his youth, including Rhode Island, Connecticut, Florida, California, Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. He graduated from Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 1958, where he was valedictorian of his class and MVP of the football team in his senior year. He adapted well to new locations and new friends and was always a good student and successful athlete. His college years were spent at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, where he earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in Computer Science and Technology. His education and technical skills led to employment with the U.S. Departments of the Navy and Justice in Washington, D.C., where he programmed computer systems for the old, large mainframes. It was there that he met his lifelong friend Maurice (Maury) Geiger. Together they shared not only a friendship but also an interest in the U.S. Courts and the Criminal Justice System. Both were Fellows in the Institute for Court Management in Aspen, Colorado, in the early 1970s, and from there formed a business partnership that helped state court systems across the United States transition to computerized systems, improving the administration of justice. After working for a year at a time in several states from Alaska to Louisiana, Jim and Maury returned to New Hampshire, where Jim found his second family with the Geigers: Maury, Nancy, and their four boys. He loved the outdoor New Hampshire life, the mountains, the small towns, and the quality of life shared with people of friendliness and goodness. Jim's career was punctuated with a variety of other enterprises. During several summers in high school and college, he manned lifeguard stands in Virginia Beach, a job he truly loved. In Aspen, he owned the Mellow Yellow Taxi Company and worked as a Jeep tour guide. In North Conway, he worked at JV Components and Leavitt's Country Bakery, and during ski season, he operated the lifts on Mount Cranmore. In retirement, he returned to Norfolk, Virginia, to be a companion to his mother in the years following his father's death. After his mother died in 2003, he returned to his beloved New Hampshire and was welcomed once again by the Geigers, where he spent 25 very happy years. Jim was predeceased by his parents; his older brother, George H. Laird III; his brother-in-law, Nathan Chaney; his nephew, David Laird, and his longtime friend, Maury Geiger. He is remembered with love by his dear and devoted friend Nancy Geiger; his sister, Heather Laird Martin (Howard); his brother, Michael S. Laird (Edith); his nephews, Jeffrey Martin (Deanna) and Brad Martin (Tracey); Byron Laird; and his niece, Hilary Martin Chaney (Nathan, deceased). He is also survived by four grandnephews and one grandniece. He will also be missed by the four Geiger boys, Steven, Tom, Kevin, and Robert, who grew up enjoying all the kindness and friendship Jim had to offer. As their families grew to include spouses and children, Jim remained an integral part of this extended family. The family wishes to thank Visiting Nurse Home Care & Hospice of Carroll County and Western Maine for their gentle care and attention, as well as the staff of Memorial Hospital and the conscientious Conway EMTs who met his needs in his last weeks. Memorial gifts in Jim's name may be made to Conway Village Church and American Legion Post #46, where Jim and Nancy enjoyed friendship, kindness, wonderful shared meals, and a sense of community that enriched their lives for many years. Conway Village Church P.O. Box 333 Conway, NH 03818 American Legion Post #46 P.O. Box 430 Conway, NH 03818 Submitted by Mary Heather Martin, sister of the deceased. 801 Southampton Avenue, Apt. 1627 Norfolk VA 23510 757-646-1610 June, 23, 2024