John D. Leird Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

John D. Leird, 86, of Whitefield, passed away Saturday, March 22, 2014 with his family by his side. John was born August 5, 1927, to George Dewey and Vivian Linton Leird in Kinta, Oklahoma. John D. grew up on Beaver Mountain during the tough times of poverty and then moved to California where he met and married Jean Waldron of Wasco, California in 1947. Leird was a self-taught master carpenter and construction engineer. After years of working across the United States, John D. moved his family home to Whitefield to settle in 1960. He continued to perform construction work across the country, where his family followed him during the summer months. John also did work in the West Indies. He built numerous buildings and projects throughout the Stigler area. John D. was a devoted family man and determined to see that his family was well provided for and succeeded in life just as he had set out to do. He was active in the Stigler community and involved in many community projects, as well as a trustee on the Whitefield Cemetery Committee. He started his life in the great depression with a vision to build a life for his family and came out stronger and more proud in the end. He spoke with actions and even though he had so many accomplishments he was never boastful. John D. is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jean Leird, of Stigler; four children and ten grandchildren; three daughters and their families, Barbara Highfill & husband Jerry of Highland, CA., their three children, Gretchen Brown & husband Chris, Justin Highfill & wife Danelle, Aaron Highfill & wife Makenzee, daughter, Vicki Perryman & husband Robert of Stigler, their three daughters, Morgan Benham, Blair Christenberry & husband Brandon , & Whitley Benham, daughter, Becky Cantrell & husband Virgil of Stigler, their children, Brandon Cantrell & wife Heather, Brianna Highfill & husband Kent; their son, John Dee Leird, Jr. & wife Holly of Parker, AZ., their two children, Chelsea Leird & Donavan Leird; a brother, Sonny Leird & wife Iva of Whitefield; twelve great grandchildren, Shea Highfill, Kade Highfill, Drake Highfill, Micah Brown, Kyra Brown, Tyler Cantrell, Ethan Cantrell, Kaleb Highfill, Brinlynn Highfill, Mason Buffington, Mabri Buffington, Cooper Christenberry ; numerous nieces & nephews. John D. was preceded in death by his parents, George Dewey & Vivian Leird, a brother Wallace Leird; two sisters, Alyne Maxwell, Laverne Xander; a granddaughter Mandy Lynn Cantrell; a great nephew, Jamie Leird. Funeral services will be 1:30 P.M. Wednesday, March 26, 2014 Stigler First Baptist Church. Dr. Jerry Highfill will be officiating; Eulogist: Virgil Cantrell; Scripture: Pastor Daniel Milligan. Pallbearers include Leon Johnson, Roger Tate, Jim Bob Cross, Gary Dunn, Rick Bumpers, Sam Stubblefield, James Parker. Honorary Pallbearers include Chris Brown, Brandon Christenberry, Justin Highfill , Aaron Highfill, Brandon Cantrell, Kent Highfill. Burial will immediately follow at Whitefield Cemetery under the direction of King & Shearwood Funeral Home of Stigler. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Alzheimer’s Association or Whitefield Cemetery.

John D. Leird

August 5, 1927 - March 22, 2014