Laird Paul Simons, 77, passed away on Monday, December 16th, 2024, at sunrise in his home in Overland Park, KS. Laird spent his last moments as he spent his whole life, surrounded by loved ones including his wife of 37 years, Patricia, and his sons Robert and Anthony.
To those who knew Laird, he was kind, thoughtful, warm, welcoming, smart, witty, fun, and had a great sense of humor. His laugh would fill a room. And if you did not know Laird, he was the kind of man that when you met him, you would want to know him; his magnetism drew people to him.
His determination and charisma were the foundation upon which he built his career in eastern Kansas. Laird graduated Immaculata High School in the class of 1966. He went on to the University of Kansas where he eventually graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. After college he went to work at Jones Store Co. in their Kansas City office.
After Jones Store Co., Laird went to United Telecom which would eventually become Sprint North Supply. While at Sprint, he completed his Master of Business Administration at Rockhurst University in 1987. Laird would retire from Sprint in 2001 as Vice President and General Manager. Later that year he went on to start TDB communications with his longtime friend and business partner, Terry D. Bryan. The two would lead TDB through multiple transformations and challenges but in 2018, they sold the staffing company and actually retired.
In 1987 Laird would meet his wife, Patricia (LaMacchia) Simons, who was a saleswoman calling on Sprint North Supply. They would marry that year. Later he would say, “She was selling and I was buying!” Together they raised their sons, Robert and Anthony, in a home full of fun and love, open to everyone. There was always family and friends around, and many would live with them for periods of time. Many people made their way to the Simons house over the years because Laird and Patricia made it known that all were welcome, always.
It was always a desire for Laird to have his sons graduate Rockhurst High School and this was achieved when Robert graduated in 2010 and Anthony in 2011. A long-time supporter of the school, Laird would continue to have Rockhurst Hawklets football season tickets long after the boys graduated.
An avid golfer, in retirement Laird enjoyed his multiple weekly rounds of golf with his childhood friends from Leavenworth and his Knights of Columbus brothers. An active member of the Church of the Ascension in Overland Park, KS, Laird was a 4th degree Knight of Columbus in the Ascension Knights Council and a church usher for 25 years.
Laird enjoyed all sports being a lifelong fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals, and Kansas Jayhawks, even having KU football season tickets. A strong sweet tooth, he liked baking sweets and would make treats for the neighborhood every Christmas. Laird loved a glass of scotch, particularly the Macallan 12 year. He was a fan of fast cars having started and ended his career owning a Corvette.
Laird never met a stranger. And this was no more evident than the last year of his life. In January 2024 Laird was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. But as he fought for 12 months, he never fought alone. In his last year, people traveled far and wide to support Laird and his family and to keep him company. He found hope and love in the endless stream of masses, rosaries, and prayers. Only through this collective strength, was Laird able to fight as long and hard as he did. On December 16th, 2024, Laird returned to his Lord and Savior.
Laird was preceded in death by his father William George, mother Anna Eileen, brother Mark, and sister Meredith. He is survived by his wife Patracia, sons Robert and Anthony, Daughter-in-Law Riley, grandsons Theodore and Beckett, brothers David Reynolds and Allan Reynolds, numerous nieces and nephews, and “adopted” family members.
Thursday, December 19, a rosary will be prayed at 4:00 pm followed by eulogies and visitation from 5-7:00 PM at the Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia St., Lenexa, KS. Funeral Mass will be 1:00 PM Friday, December 20, at Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th St. Overland Park, KS. A procession to Mt. Calvary in Lansing, KS for burial will follow the mass.
The family very much welcomes and appreciates flower gifts. Dad was a frequent giver to charity and two of his favorites have had memorial funds set up in his honor.
St. Jude's
Special Olympics of Kansas