Ronald Terry Laird, Sr., 74, of Ewell, Smith Island, died Monday, December 23, 2024 at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional.

Born in Crisfield on October 16, 1950, he was raised on Tylerton, Smith Island and was a son of the late Ronald and Mina Rae Marshall Laird. His wife of 45 years, Donna Jean Bradshaw Laird, preceded him in death on May 2, 2016.

At the age of 15, Terry started working on the water and in 1986 became the boat captain of the Capt. Jason freight and passenger ferry which ran daily from Ewell, Smith Island to Crisfield. In 2022, Capt. Terry was inducted as an associate of the Waterman's Hall of Fame.

A member of Ewell United Church, Terry had a beautiful singing voice and sang in the church choir as well as at events and hymn sings throughout the area.  He was also a member of the Chesapeake Masonic Lodge #47 AF&AM in Crisfield, and was a former ambulance driver for the Ewell Volunteer Fire Department.

He loved children, music, karaoke, riding on his golf cart, spending time at his shanty and Bayside Restaurant on weekends, his daily visits with his friends at Gordon's in Crisfield, and talking on his VHF Radio AKA "Mission Control Center".

Capt. Terry with his laugh and sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by two children, Ronald Terry Laird, Jr. and wife Danielle of Ewell and Ruth Ann Smith and husband Lee of Tylerton; brother, Tony B. Laird of Crisfield; step-grandchildren, Julianne, William, and Collin; sister-in-law, Marge Laird; brother-in-law, Richard Sterling; nieces and nephews, Larry R. Laird, Jr. and wife Patti, Paula R. Harrison and husband Buck, Randy Swift and wife Nicole, Diane Maguire and husband Bob, and Doreen Sterling; great-nieces and great-nephews, Harold Frock and wife Jennifer, Tim Frock and wife Amanda, Taylor Laird, Kara Harrison and fiancé Dustin Townsend, Wyatt Harrison, Caitlin Shook and husband Keith, Kristen Chesser, Maura Maguire, David Maguire, Crystal Gleason, Christopher Sterling, Genna Barlow, Erin Moger, Kathleen Sterling, and Isaac Sterling; numerous great-great nieces and nephews; special relatives, Dixie Larrimore, Betty Jo Tyler, and Alan Wade Tyler, and their families; and a special friend, Mary Ruth Evans.

In addition to his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by his brother, Larry R. Laird, Sr.; his sisters-in-law, Marilou Sterling and Debbie Laird; two nephews, David Sterling and Steven Sterling; and special friends, Mildred Tyler, Gary Tull and Larry Tyler.

A memorial service officiated by Rev. Stephen S. Willing will be held Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 11 AM at Christ Fellowship Bible Church in Marion Station.  A visitation will be from 10-11 AM.  Urn interment will be at a later date in Ewell Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested to be sent to Ewell United Church, Ewell, MD 21824.

Arrangements are in the care of Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home.