Irving Wesley Laird, 83, of Nampa, Idaho passed away on Thursday, March 6, 2015 at home.  A Celebration Worship Service will be held at 2pm, Saturday, March 14, 2015 at Nampa First Church of the Nazarene, where he was a member for 49 years. Viewing will be Friday, March 13, 5-7pm at Alsip & Persons Funeral Chapel.
Irving Laird was born August 7, 1931 to Russell and Eva Laird in Beacon, NY where he was raised and educated through high school.  He married Beverly Ashline in Altona, NY in 1956.  
Irving was ordained as an elder in the Church of the Nazarene in 1964 and spent 12 years in full time pastoral ministry in Indiana and later in Idaho where he moved with his family in 1966 to serve as Associate Minister of Nampa First Church of the Nazarene.
“Doc” Laird’s life was spent in Nazarene Higher Education preparing students for life and ministry. He was the first in his family to attend college and he earned degrees from Eastern Nazarene College, Nazarene Theological Seminary, Butler University, and American Baptist Seminary of the West.  During a 40-year-period he was Professor of Christian Education, Vice President of Student Life and Head of the Department of Special Ministries at Northwest Nazarene University.  He was much-loved on campus as a mentor to many.
In retirement, he and his wife, Bev, taught at Southern Africa University, Jamaica Bible College, and Nazarene Theological College, Australia.  A lover of travel, Irving and Beverly traveled to all major American cities, every state and many foreign countries.
Irving was active in the community through the Lion’s Club, the Mercy Hospital Advisory Board and as a volunteer at the Mountain States Tumor Institute.
Irving is survived by his wife, Beverly, son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Jeanie Laird of Denver, CO; his daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca Laird and Michael Christensen of San Diego, CA; four grandchildren, David Laird, Rachel Christensen, Megan Christensen, and Jeffrey Laird and his wife, Kaitlin, and great-granddaughter, Kendal.
The family suggests memorial gifts be directed to the Irving W. and Beverly A. Laird Compassionate Ministry Scholarship Fund at Northwest Nazarene University, 623 S. University Avenue, Nampa, ID 83686.