Eldwyn Donald Bird Obituary (2023)

Donald Bird, known as Don, was born to goodly parents, Dorothy OTyson and Paul Earnest Bird, husband and wife, in Toppenish, Yakima County, Washington on June 20th, 1944, at 1:45 am. He was raised on the family homestead, and would often refer to himself as a "farm boy" in the city of Grandview. Don loved family history and knew many ancestors birth and marriage dates by heart. He went from kindergarten to 12th grade in Grandview, graduating from Grandview High School, where he participated in backstage productions and would make many lifelong friends. While in his early 20s, Don attended Columbia Basin College. It was there that he and his older brother, Larry, were involved in a tragic car accident on black ice that took the life of Larry and left Don in a coma for two months with a traumatic brain injury. After some time, Don miraculously recovered and went on to return and finish college. After graduating college, Don landed a job with the City of Grandview, where his primary job was at the Waste Water Treatment Plant, though he was also on-call in other departments. Don married Sheila Lee Hanson, a longtime friend and girlfriend, on July 4, 1966. Don and Sheila had one son, Larry Bird, before adopting two teen girls, DeLevea and Tracy. Don had a passion for old cars. He owned a Ford Model A and was working on building a Ford Model T Roadster. He also loved old tractors. In 2006, Dons beloved wife, Sheila, passed away, leaving him in much grief. Following Sheilas death, Don moved to Yakima and was a volunteer at the Central Washington Agricultural Museum, starting in 2006 to present. He especially loved working on and running the kiddy train ride, and participated in many school field trip tours. Don also worked as a volunteer at the Yakima Trolley for four years. Later, in 2009, Don met his soon-to-be second wife, Judy L. Wells. They were married on April 20th, 2011. Don is survived by his second wife, Judy; son Larry (Susan) Bird of Yakima; two daughters DeLevea (Darrin) Anderson, grandson Tanner of Clarkston, WA, and Tracy (Ian), two grandchildren, Chelsea "El" (Patrick) Moriarty and their daughter Izzy of Johnson City NY, and their second daughter Karissa Parypa of Round Rock, TX; grandchildren Francis (William), greatgrandchild Andromeda Bird, grandchildren Dori Bird, Joseph Bird, David Wells, Elaina Wells, and Ethan Wells, of Yakima. Don was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Cottonwood Canyon Ward. Upon receiving the terrible diagnosis of Stage 4 colon cancer, he said, "Oh, dont feel bad, I will see my Sheila again." We will miss him, but know he has much to enjoy in Heaven, and is rejoicing with his posterity. Funeral Service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints: 1414 S. 72nd Avenue, Yakima, Washington on January 6th, 2024, at 4:00 pm. Interment will take place at a later date in the Zillah Cemetery, which was once part of the family farm before moving to Grandview. Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com Funeral Service Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Saturday, January 6, 2024 4:00 PM 1414 S 72nd Ave Yakima, WA 98908