Grandpa's Funeral

My Grandpa Bird passed away on Sunday, March 20th, 2016.  He was 96 years old.  My parents sent me out in about 7th grade because they were worried Grandpa wasn't going to live much longer.  In college, they always told me to go visit him because he may not be around much.  He seemed to always be alive, happy, and well.  He couldn't see very well or hear well, but he always loved the visits.  He knew exactly who I was and told me how much he loved me every time.  He also always mentioned something about God or Faith etc.  He definitely had a testimony and it shows in his posterity.  I drove down with Darrin and Alisha.  Lorin, Devin, Brandon, and Ryan all flew in to attend the funeral.  The funeral was hard at times because it brought back so many memories of my mom's funeral.  Being the room with the family saying the prayer and seeing a casket were all a lot to digest. I could tell it was hard for my dad too because memories of my mom's funeral came back to him.  We sang "Til We Meet Again," and that was just too much.  It was good to see my cousins and catch up with them.  I hope my dad had a good time with his siblings and found support from them during this and while still dealing with my dad.

The funeral was held at Metcalf Mortuary on Friday, March 25th.

Ronald Lewis Bird

Obituary

Ronald Lewis Bird is remembered as a man who loved his family with all of his heart, mind and soul and sacrificed all of his time, energy and resources in helping his children live righteous, meaningful and productive lives.

He strived to live a Christ-like life and was always kind and compassionate to everyone, especially those who were less fortunate.  His constant message to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren was to treat everyone with charity.

Ronald Bird was born in Milo, Idaho on July 1, 1919 to Richard Lewis Bird and Mary Ann Davis and died on March 20, 2016, in his 97th year in St. George, Utah.  

He was the third of five children.  His Mother, Mary Ann Davis, died when Ronald was four years old, leaving him to be partially raised by family and friends for the next several years.  Ronald’s father, Lewis Richard Bird, remarried Grace Leavitt and together they had an additional five children.  Grace was a wonderful woman who took responsibility for raising and caring for all ten children.

Ronald is a descendant of Mormon pioneers who trekked across the Western United States to Utah in the mid 1800’s. Ronald served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1939 to 1941 in the Central States.

He was married to Flora May Bean on June 8, 1945 and said frequently that marrying Flora May was one of the greatest blessings he had in his life.  He truly loved her in every way.  Ronald and Flora May had 6 children: Craig, Donald who died as an infant, Terrel, Rhonda, Nancy and Jeffery.  Ronald and Flora May have 31 grandchildren and 83 great-grandchildren who are following in the footsteps of Ronald and Flora May of living Christ-like lives.

Ronald and Flora May owned and lived on a farm in Milo, Idaho from 1945 to 1960 when they moved to Pocatello, Idaho to build and operate coin operated laundry stores. Ronald was involved in owning, operating or leasing laundry stores until the late 1990’s.

Flora May died on December 25, 1989.  Ronald Married Zelpha Hill in 1992 whose husband had also passed away.  Zelpha and Ronald loved each other and enjoyed doing activities together.  Zelpha was a helper and a friend who helped Ronald as he grew older.  In 2014, Terrel, Ronald’s second son arranged for Ronald to live in St. George at an assisted living facility where he lived the last 2 ½ years.  Terrel and his family showered Ronald with love and helped him live his remaining years in comfort and in love. Ronald also showered his posterity with the love, wisdom and light that he received by virtue of his testimony of Jesus Christ.

His legacy lives through his 5 children, 31 grandchildren and 83 great-grandchildren and counting, and the lives of all those whom he influenced.  Til we meet again.