James Bird

James L. Bird, 78 years old, passed away peacefully with his family by his side and holding his wife Shirley’s hand, May 26, 2012, of cancer.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 31, 2012, at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street. A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m., Friday, at the funeral home, with a reception following at Blank Golf course.

Jim was born on November 20, 1933, to Hazel and Warren Bird.

A hard-working man, he was blessed with the gift of always helping others. He was a fireman, a free mason, and member of the Southgate Lodge #657, a past member of Za Ga Zig Shrine, and an active member of Plymouth Congregational Church.

Jim enjoyed all types of automobiles, working in his yard and spending time with his family.

He worked as a Des Moines Firefighter, owned Bird’s Tire Shop, was chief engineer at the DSM school system, and in retirement at Hertz.

Jim and Shirley were happily married 56 years. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; children, Tara Bird Swoboda. Mike (Sarah) Bird, and Pat (Robin) Bird; grandchildren, Kaylin (Zach) Bird Gann, Kassidy Bird, and Marisa Swoboda; step-grandchildren, Tanya (Adam) Choat, Michelle Mitchell, and Emily Mitchell; step-great-grandchildren, Madison and Rylee Choat; sisters, Patricia Sirfus, Beverly (David) Kaili, Shirley (Bill)) Mason, and Helen Bird; and many other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Bill, and brother-in-law, Richard Sirfus.

Private burial of cremated remains will be at the Iowa Veteran, Cemetery at a later date.

Donations can be made to the John Stoddard Cancer Center, or Plymouth Congregational Church in Jim Bird’s name.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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