Our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Donald Clyde Bird, passed away early Tuesday morning, February 21, 2023 at the age of 85. He was born in the modest Glendale, Arizona, family home on September 19, 1937, the unexpected second of twin boys, the youngest children born to the Presbyterian minister Eldred Holloway Bird and his wife Edith Marie Laidlaw Bird. He had three older sisters, Marie, Jane and Roberta, and three older brothers, Jack, William and Richard, his older twin by five minutes. The boys were born during the great depression. Their father passed away when he and Dick were four years old so the devastated family struggled financially. They never had many worldly possessions but the family worked together and, as Don always said, they were blessed with many other things that were far more important, especially the most wonderful mother in the world.

His mother and the four youngest children moved to Sugar City, Idaho, in 1949, which was the first time the family lived in a home with electricity, indoor water and an indoor bathroom. They were later converted to and baptized members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when the twins were twelve years old. Don's younger years were filled with special friends, great experiences and skilled teachers who had a profound influence on his life. He was an extraordinarily hard worker and at a very young age, worked at a couple of chicken hatcheries, later as a farm hand and any other work he could find to help his family.

After high school he attended Ricks College in Rexburg until he was called to serve a 31-month mission in the Samoan Islands. He loved his mission experience and the humble Samoan people. Upon returning from his mission and while attending Ricks College, he reluctantly agreed to a blind date where he met his future wife, who was also a very reluctant participant. Fortunately, the One in charge knew better than they did, and following his graduation from Ricks College, he and Bonnie Jane Bischoff were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on August 2, 1962. He later graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor's Degree in 1965, after which he was hired to teach at Ricks College. He immediately continued with his education, graduating from BYU with a Master's Degree in 1968 and from Texas A&M University with a Doctor's Degree in 1973. He taught at Ricks College/BYU-Idaho for many years as well as serving in university leadership positions as Division Chairman and Academic Vice President under Steven Bennion and David Bednar. He truly loved his work there as well as his close associations with so many wonderful people.
Don and Bonnie were blessed with four daughters and one son: Tawnya (Marty) Beattie, Riverton, Utah; Ninette (Kimball) Galbraith, Sugar City, Idaho; Jace (Wendy) Bird, Fort Benton, Montana, Farrah Keeler, Austin, Texas; and Danielle (Mark) Belue, Salem, Oregon. The family now includes 18 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

From the time of his conversion and baptism, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was always an integral part of Don's life. He served in a multitude of callings, including bishopric counselor and stake counselor, bishop and stake president. He was also very community minded and served as a school board member, chairman of the school board during the building of a new high school and as a city councilman during the difficult years of the Teton Dam Disaster and the rebuilding of the beautiful small community of Sugar City.

Don loved to travel. Throughout his life he visited all 50 states, 27 different countries and made friends all over the world. One of his greatest retirement activities was the five years he and Bonnie served in China teaching English to their beloved Chinese university students. Two of their students, Frank Zhou and Richard Liu, became what Don and Bonnie called, "our children from another mother." He and Bonnie served a mission together in Kotzebue, Alaska, where their son-in-law, Mark, was serving as branch president.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Marie Pierson, Jane Hunter, Eldred Bird, Roberta Rammell and twin brother Richard Bird. He is survived by his wife, five children, 18 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and brother, William Bird.

Don lived a full, adventuresome and fulfilling life. The last years were challenging for him as his health deteriorated and he wasn't able to travel and do the things he loved but he sought to be positive and a blessing to his family and wife Bonnie.

The family would like to extend their deep gratitude and appreciation for the Homestead administration, staff, aides and the Hospice nurses and personnel for their kind, loving care and respect for Don for these past six months.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 3 at 11 a.m. at the Sugar City gray church building. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening, March 2, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg and on Friday morning from 9:30-10:45 a.m. at the Sugar City gray church building prior to the funeral services. Services will be live streamed and can also be watched later at: www.flammfh.com. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.flammfh.com .

Streaming services will be available at: https://my.gather.app/remember/donald-bird-2023