Laird Leon Schmeck, 45, of Burns, passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack Jan. 16.

Laird was born Aug. 30, 1973, the only son of John Schmeck and Ardetta Willis. Though his parents later divorced and were both remarried, he was fortunate enough to gain a sister, Chelle, brothers, Shaun and Danny, and sister, Joanna, now deceased.

Laird graduated from Rossier High School in Tustin, Calif., and although he did not attend college, he was very skilled and trained in his work as a firefighter. He was very proud of the certificates and training that he received at the department and treasured his role in the community as a firefighter.

Laird’s biggest love in life was firefighting. At one point during his 22-plus-year career as a firefighter, he was actively working for both the Burns and Hines fire departments, where he performed as an engineer, and in 2001, he was named firefighter of the year for Burns. Laird’s dedication was unwavering, attending every meeting, training, fire, and car wreck. It didn’t matter where he was or what he was doing, he would drop it to respond to a call.

Being a part of the fire department was such an important part of Laird’s life, and through it, he met Chris Briels and Stuart Yekel, two of his strongest friendships.

Laird met Penny in 1997, and they were married Aug. 15, 1998, in Burns. Their first son, Jonathan, was born one year later in August 1999, and they welcomed their second son, Nathan, in March 2001. In 2009, Laird and his family moved to Michigan to help take care of his mother-in-law. While there, he worked in the packaging department of a bakery called Heartland. In 2010, they moved to Idaho to be close to his dad where they remained until 2013. They then moved back to Burns, where they would settle down, buy a house, and plan to live their lives. From the time that Laird became a husband and father, he devoted his life to his family, proving to be their rock and Penny’s one true love.

Laird was the most genuine individual with a true heart of gold. It did not matter whether someone was a stranger to him or his best friend, he was always eager to lend a helping hand in any way he could. His wife often playfully hassled him for never being home, but true to Laird’s giving nature, he always maintained a multitude of odd jobs helping others and keeping busy. Not only did he work on the fire department, but he drove the ambulance when it was part of the department, helped Sam’s Service and Larkin Towing clean up at wreck sites, and five days a week, would walk the bartender out at the Central Pastime so they didn’t have to walk out alone. Not to mention the time taken away from his wife and kids when his friends, sister-in-law, and nieces would call for a ride, needed errands ran, or just someone to talk to.

Laird never met a person he didn’t like. Whether you were an acquaintance, friend, or family, you were a friend to Laird. Jim and Jennifer Beck and family were not only his “neighbors”, but they were family to him. From the time that he and Penny moved into their first house in Burns, somehow Jim and Jennifer were always his neighbors and closest friends. From helping them babysit their kids, to drinking beer in the living room, Laird enjoyed their friendship more than he could express.

Laird loved to hunt, fish, work on his derby car, play pool, go bowling, and enjoyed watching the local sports teams. He loved working on the fire department, he loved umpiring, and he loved being involved in the lives of others. He always included his boys in all of his adventures, passing on the same love for them that he had.

Laird died the way he lived; always fighting, always present, and with a heart of gold.

Laird is survived by his wife, Penny Schmeck; sons, Jonathan R. Schmeck and Nathan Schmeck; father, Jonathan L. Schmeck; stepmother, Christina; stepfather, Allen Willis; siblings, Chelle Garza and husband, Dave, Shaun Corby and husband, Martin, and Danny Corby and wife, Sarah; aunts, Olga Overton and husband, Larry, and Helen Caldwell and husband, Edward; uncles, Fred Dolen and wife, Bill Schmeck and Tony Schmeck; as well as other family.

Laird was preceded in death by his mother, Ardetta (Bleuler) Willis; many grandparents; several aunts and uncles; and sister, Joanna.

A service for Laird will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25, at the Burns Fire Department.

Donations in Laird’s memory may be made to the family of Laird Schmeck for his two sons.  Donations may be mailed to LaFollette’s Chapel, P.O. Box 488, Burns, Oregon 97720.