David Jay Bird

David Jay Bird was born April 30^th 1956, the third child of Jim Harrison and Marine Stone Bird, at Utah Valley Hospital in Provo Utah. He lived in Springville Utah with his family for the first few years of his life. When he was four his family moved to Dutch John, Utah where his father helped build the Flaming Gorge Dam. After a few years they moved to Gunnison, Colorado for the Blue Mesa Dam, and later moved to Guri Venezuela, for his father job, to build one of the largest dams in the world. There David grew from a small boy to over 6 feet tall. He loved Venezuela and enjoyed being near the jungle and all the wildlife. At age 14, his family moved back to Utah, and there began his love of football. He attended Springville Highschool and was named Outstanding Lineman throughout the state of Utah. After attending seminary for the first time, the last half of his Senior year, and gaining a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and His Gospel, he chose to forgo a full ride football scholarship to Dixie State and serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was called to serve in the Anaheim California Mission. This was a highlight of David’s life, teaching and serving children of Jesus Christ and establishing life-long friendships. 

 

After serving an honorable mission he attended Utah Technical College where he became a licensed electrician. After graduation, he took a job in Craig Colorado at Colowyo Coal mine. In Craig, he met his eternal companion and best friend, Paulette Nead. After a short courtship, they were sealed in the Salt Lake City temple on July, 11^th 1980. They made their home in Craig and welcomed 5 children into their home, Mendy Marie, Shannon Lee, Camillia Ann, David Jeremy, and Kalie Lafonn. He truly valued and loved his family.

 

David continued his career as an electrician, working for Colowyo for many years. He was also able to fulfill a lifelong dream and worked part-time as a volunteer Fire Fighter for the Craig Fire Department for about 6 years. David had a love for the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping with his friends and family. And in his later years really enjoyed many hunting and fishing trips with his son Jeremy. He also had a love for wildlife, flowers, the forest, the ocean, and lighthouses. 

 

Throughout his life, David suffered many health challenges. In September of 1983, David was involved in an electrical explosion at Colowyo, and burned over 30% of his body, suffering deep 2^nd and 3^rd degree burns. He was flown by flight-for-life to the University of Utah burn center. Throughout his recovery he had skin grafts and over 20 surgeries. It took several years for David to fully recover from his injuries. In 2005, David was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s disease and later PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy). He worked as long as he could but ultimately ended up needing to take long term disability. This lead David and Paulette to move from their long-time home in Colorado in 2007, to start new adventures in Syracuse, Utah. Though David’s health would continue to decline over the years, he loved being able to have the extra time with his family and working on his hobbies of gardening, taking care of his lawn, and learning new things. 

 

The gospel of Jesus Christ and his relationship with his Savior was extremely important to David. He dedicated his life teaching, serving, loving, ministering, and helping others come unto Jesus Christ. He served in various church callings, including ward mission leader, counselor in the Bishopric, Bishop, and Stake President in the Meeker Colorado Stake. And later served as a High counselor, home teacher and was a full-time Family History Missionary for two years in Syracuse Utah. 

 

David completed his mortal life July 30^th, 2023. He passed away peacefully in his home in Syracuse, Utah. He is preceded in death by his parents Jim Bird and Marine Bird, his sister in-law Jackie Bird, and his younger brother Tim Bird. He is survived by His wife Paulette, their five children, Mendy Cattoor, Shannon Ireland, Camillia Burgoyne, David Jeremy Bird, Kalie Bowen, their spouses, and his 23 grandchildren. His sister Cindy Taylor, brother Dennis Bird, and their spouses.

 

The Bird family would like to thank the many doctors, nurses, medical staff, ward members, neighbors, friends, and family for all the care and service that has been shown to David and his family throughout the years.