Roy H. Laird
Roy H. Laird | |
|---|---|
| 2nd Mayor of Kilgore | |
| In office 1933–1950 | |
| Preceded by | Malcolm Crim |
| Succeeded by | Eugene C. Elder[1] |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Roy Harlan Laird April 6, 1889[2] Texas, U.S.[2] |
| Died | December 19, 1950[2] Kilgore, Gregg County, Texas, U.S.[2] |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Ann Hubbard Laird (d. 1919)[2] Annie Nolen Laird (m. 1933)[2] |
| Parent(s) | Robert Houston Laird Aurelia Harlan Laird[2] |
Roy Harlan Laird (April 6, 1889 – December 19, 1950) was an American businessman and politician who served as Mayor of Kilgore, Texas for an extensive period during the city's oil boom and post-boom development. He is highly regarded for his pivotal role in establishing key civic institutions, including the Kilgore Public Library and the Roy H. Laird Memorial Hospital, which later evolved into the modern Kilgore College Health Science Center.
Early life and family
[edit]Roy H. Laird was born on April 6, 1889, in Texas.[2] His parents were Robert Houston Laird and Aurelia Harlan Laird.[2] In his early career, he reportedly worked as a rural mail carrier.[3]
Laird was married twice. His first wife was Mary Ann Hubbard Laird, who passed away in 1919.[2] He later married Annie Nolen in 1933.[2] He died in Kilgore, Texas, on December 19, 1950, at the age of 61, and is buried in Kilgore City Cemetery.[2]
Mayoral leadership
[edit]Roy H. Laird's mayoral service began in 1933, succeeding Malcolm Crim as Mayor of Kilgore.[4][5] He was a candidate for Mayor in the Kilgore City Election held on April 4, 1933.[4] By December 1933, he was confirmed as Mayor, signing official city ordinances.[5]
Laird served continuously as Mayor of Kilgore from 1933 until 1950, holding the mayoral office through multiple two-year terms. His leadership is evidenced by his signatures on various city ordinances and appearances in City Commission minutes across these years:[6][7] He served as mayor until his death in 1950, when he was succeeded by Eugene C. Elder[1][8]
During his extensive tenure, his administration oversaw critical civic projects such as elections for bond issues for street paving and the extension of the sewage disposal plant in late 1933.[5] He also participated in civic events, such as tossing the first ball at the opening of Driller Park.[9]
Contributions to Kilgore and Legacy
[edit]Laird's influence extended significantly beyond his mayoral duties, impacting Kilgore's educational and healthcare infrastructure, and cementing his legacy in the city's development.
Kilgore Public Library
[edit]Under Mayor Laird's leadership, the City of Kilgore took over sponsorship of the Kilgore Public Library around 1937.[10] He, along with City Commissioners J. E. Bagwell and E. C. Middlebrook, led the initiative to construct a permanent library building. This structure, completed in October 1939 at a cost of $45,454, was partly funded by a Public Works Administration (PWA) grant of $20,454. The French Provincial-designed building remains the Kilgore Public Library building today.[10][11]
Roy H. Laird Memorial Hospital and Health Science Center
[edit]A cornerstone of Laird's enduring legacy is the Roy H. Laird Memorial Hospital. The hospital, named in his honor, served the Kilgore community for decades.[12]
After his death, the Roy H. Laird Memorial Hospital Trust was formed in 1957, and the Roy H. Laird Memorial Hospital Foundation Inc. was established in 1994. Both organizations are dedicated to promoting, fostering, and supporting healthcare services for the indigent and general public in Kilgore and the surrounding areas.[13][14]
In 2024, a new, state-of-the-art facility, the Roy H. Laird Health Science Center & Torrence Health Science Education Center, officially opened on the grounds of the former Laird Memorial Hospital. This nearly 75,000-square-foot facility is a collaborative effort between CHRISTUS Good Shepherd, Kilgore College, the City of Kilgore, and the Roy H. Laird Memorial Hospital Foundation. It houses Kilgore College's health science programs (nursing, physical therapy assistant, radiologic technology) and provides new clinical spaces, continuing Laird's commitment to both healthcare and education.[15][16][17] Kilgore Mayor Ronnie Spradlin highlighted the project as a major achievement, continuing the lasting legacy of Roy H. Laird Memorial Hospital.[18]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Community Leadership and Economic Development in Kilgore, Texas (Excerpt on Eugene C. Elder)" (PDF). UNT Digital Library. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
He succeeded Roy H. Laird as elected mayor and held this office from 1951 to 1957.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Roy Harlan Laird (1889-1950)". Find a Grave. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ "COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND ECONOMIC ..." (PDF). UNT Digital Library. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
fact that Roy H. Laird was a rural mail carrier
- ^ a b "Political Announcements / City Commission Resolution (J. Malcolm Crim, Mayor)". The Kilgore News Herald (archived). March 31, 1933. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ a b c "ORDINANCE BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS... (signed by Roy H. Laird, Mayor)". The Kilgore News Herald (archived). December 22, 1933. p. 7. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ "City of Kilgore Notice of Resolution (Roy H. Laird, Mayor)". Kilgore News Herald (archived). August 20, 1936. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ "Kilgore City Commission Minutes (Roy H. Laird, Mayor)". Kilgore News Herald (archived). April 20, 1937. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ "Vintage Photo Kilgore City Council 1958 Mayor L.N. Crim & Council Members Texas". eBay. September 14, 1958. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
Mayor L.N. Crim (1957-1959) assumed office in 1957, succeeding Roy H. Laird.
- ^ "Driller Park 1997" (PDF). Gregg County, Texas. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ a b "Library History". City of Kilgore. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ "CITY PARK History - Kilgore Public Library" (PDF). Gregg County, Texas. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ "IC091: Roy H, Laird Memorial Hospital, Kilgore, TX (Front)". John P. McGovern Historical Collections & Research Center - DigitalCommons@TMC. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ "Roy H Laird Memorial Hospital Trust". Cause IQ. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ "Roy Hlaird Memorial Hospital Foundation". Cause IQ. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ "Roy H. Laird Health Science Center & Torrence Health Science Education Center officially open". Kilgore College. July 3, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ "CHRISTUS Health, city of Kilgore, Kilgore College celebrate opening of new health education facility". CHRISTUS Health. July 11, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ "New nursing instructional facility name unveiled as Torrence Health Science Education Center". Kilgore College. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ "Kilgore holds annual State of Community". CBS 19. February 21, 2025. Retrieved July 2, 2025.