Obituary

John Paul Bird, age 74, passed away March 22, 2014 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. John came from a large extended family, with 15 brothers and sisters in Ohio, West Virginia, and other parts of the east coast. John and his wife raised a large family of their own. He is survived by five sisters and three brothers; his wife of 50 years, Nancy J. Bird (Rose, OK); Daughter Suzanne Bird-Harris (Tulsa, OK), Grandchildren Joseph Clarke, Tyler Harris, and Alexis Price, and Great-granddaughter Zoey Rhyne; Daughter Kathy Bird (Vista, CA), Daughter-in-law April Bird, Grandchildren Jamie Baker, Brad and Megan Baker, Sam Bird and Katie Bird; Daughter Jenny Harris (Raleigh, NC), Son-in-Law David Harris, Grandchildren Mike Harris and Kim Harris; and Daughter Vicky Hines (Tulsa, OK), Son-in-Law Michael Hines, and Grandson Benjamin Hines. He is preceded in death by his parents Mr. Lonnie L. Bird and Mrs. Maysel Radanof. John served in the US Navy from 1957 to 1961. He attended Kent State University in 1963. During John’s working years, he lived and worked with his wife and four daughters in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Oklahoma. He retired onto a 10-acre homestead in rural Rose, OK. He and his family cleared the land and created a home to enjoy with his wife. John retired from American Airlines in 2005, after 24 years of service as an Airline Mechanic. John was proud to culminate his years of service to American Airlines in the composite model shop, where he created wood-carved molds and models for aircraft parts, and was lauded by the company for his creative and cost-savings ideas. John was a history buff, and especially enjoyed learning and reading about the American Civil War and the exploration and expansion of the western United States. After retirement, John was an active and prolific woodcarver. He was a member of the Eastern Oklahoma Woodcarver’s Association. He created unique pieces of caricature art works, and received a 4th place award at the National Woodcarvers Association juried competition for his piece entitled “Are We There Yet?” John expanded his love of carving by creating a woodcarver’s club and classroom at his home in Rose, OK. There he met weekly to share his love of the craft, and to teach and guide others in the art form. John’s passing leaves a hole in the hearts of his loved ones, but we are all comforted to know he is in heaven with his Lord and with those who have preceded him. John’s memorial service and celebration of his life will be held Wednesday March 26, 2014 at 1:00pm at Butler-Stumpff Crematory Chapel. Donations in John’s memory may be made to the St. John’s Hospice in Tulsa, OK. Make checks payable to: St. John Foundation-Hospice Fund 1923 S. Utica Ave. Tulsa, OK 74104 In memo note “In Memory of John P. Bird”. If you prefer to donate via credit card: https://www.stjohnhealthsystem.com/foundation/give-a-gift