James R. Laib Sr., 89, of Conyers, died Nov. 12. The oldest son of David R. Laib and Neva Guthrie Laib, he was born in 1918. He married Ella Jane Brown in 1943 and served in the U.S. Army, receiving an honorable discharge in 1946. He and his wife moved to Allison Park, Pa., where he started a successful appliance repair business. Mr. Laib enjoyed swimming and was the frequent host to large family gatherings at the pool he built in his back yard. He also enjoyed playing golf with family and friends and was a dedicated Steelers fan. After his wife's death in 1994, Mr. Laib moved to Perrytown Place Senior Apartment Community, Pittsburgh, and later moved to Georgia to be closer to his children and their families. Mr. Laib enjoyed playing cards, especially bridge, with his wife and continued to play cards with friends, switching from bridge to pinochle. He was a regular at the card table in the Newton County Turner Lake Senior Center. Mr. Laib was a Life Boy Scout and enjoyed watching Russ and his grandson Mikey obtain the rank of Eagle Scout. A life-long Presbyterian, Mr. Laib served as deacon at Parkwood United Presbyterian Church, Allison Park, and was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, Covington, when he moved to Georgia. Mr. Laib was preceded in death by parents, wife Ella Brown Laib and son J. Russell Laib Jr.
Surviving are daughter and son-in-law Donna J. and Donald Gravitt of Ball Ground; daughter-in-law Karen Laib of Conyers; grandchildren Sherry Stewart of Carrollton, Rick Steward of Elwood City, Pa., Sybil Hernandez of Eatonton, Mikey Laib of Conyers; great-grandchildren Andy Stewart of Carrollton, Christopher Hernandez of Eatonton; sisters and brother-in-law Darl Norris of Valencia, Pa., Josephine Johnston of McMurray, Pa., Wilma and Frank Baumann of Allison Park; brother and sister-in-law Robert and Anne Laib of Williamsburg, Va.; sisters-in-law Gerry Rickart of Glenshaw, Pa., Mary Lee Brown of Oakmont, Pa.; numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, at Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home, 1215 Access road, followed by a funeral service at 4 p.m. Interment will take place in Pennsylvania with Neely Funeral Home of Glenshaw, Pa., in charge. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1169 Clark St., Covington, 30014, or Atlanta Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1800 Circle 75 Parkway SE, Atlanta, 30339.
