Rickey Laird, age 68, of Hot Springs, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes, on July 5, 2024 in New Mexico. He was born on January 4, 1956, in Shreveport, LA, the son of the late Billy Gene and Isla Caughman Laird. Rickey was a member of Shorewood Hills United Methodist Church in Jones Mill. He attended Magnet Cove School District and was a member of the state championship football team, participated in track and was a 1973 graduate. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Education at Henderson State University in 1979, where he was a member of the AIC championship winning football team in 1977, and went on to teach U.S. History and coach football in Texas and Arkansas. Following his career in education, he worked as a commercial truck driver for several years before becoming an independent contractor in 2016 for Classic Transport in Goshen, IN. This allowed Rickey the freedom to set his own schedule to pursue his love of travel and to spend more time with his family.

Rickey is preceded in death by his parents, and daughter Tabatha.

Left to cherish his memory, sister, Lesa Cate (Terry) of Malvern; nephew, Kevin Cate (Kerin) of Arlington, TX; niece, Brittany Addington (John) of Bryant; great niece and nephews, Davis, Drew, and Lucy; and numerous cousins, a host of friends and his work family at Classic Transport.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 20th at 1pm at Regency Funeral Home, with Rev. Tammy Harrell officiating.

Arrangements are made by Regency Funeral Home. You may sign the guestbook at regencyfuneralhome.com.