Garry Stephen Bird

March 6, 2021

Garry Stephen Bird of Groveport, OH went on to his Heavenly reward on Saturday March 6th, 2021, at the age of 75. After several years of declining health, Garry passed peacefully surrounded by his family as they sang and prayed with him during his transition. Shortly after Garry was born in June of 1945 in Arkansas to Robert E. and Ina Bird, his family moved to Illinois where he was raised as one of 7 children on the family farm. Garry went on to join the Marines and then attended the Apostolic Bible Institute where he met his wife Sandra and was married in 1971. Garry served in the Ministry most of his life in one form or another. He also was a skilled craftsman that worked in all the skilled trades in one form or another. He was the guy you knew that had every tool and could fix anything you could break. But he was also the guy you knew you could call when you needed a friend to talk to or a word of advice. He lived his life to serve people. Even though suffering a severe stroke in 2012 which took most of his mobility on his left side, he would not let it slow him down. Up until just a few years ago you could find him spending his weekends passing out food at local shelters, gathering coats and blankets to pass out to the homeless as winter approached, or maybe even see him doing what he became a local celebrity for, donating his time mowing the grass at the local Arlington Field of Honor Veterans Cemetery. It was one of his proudest moments to be a feature during the Red, White, and Boom broadcast in 2016 for the work he was doing at the cemetery. Garry was welcomed to his Heavenly reward by his parents, sister Lora Cagle, brothers Richard Bird and Robert Bird, nephew Christopher Wright, and niece Annette Roix. He is survived by his loving wife Sandra of 49 years, 3 children from a previous marriage Garry Jr and Bonnie Bird, Scott and Carrie Bird, Yun Bird, and Lora and Donald Pike; and his 3 children with Sandra, Todd and Kathy Bird, Tammy Bird-Edwards, Nathan Edwards, and Terry and Jauna Bird. He also is survived by grand-children Dr. Samantha Ward, Brian and Amanda Bird, Scott and Crystal Bird, Caleb Bird and Katy Munhall, Sarah Bird, Kelsey Bird, Cody and Kala Bird, Emily Hanstein, Madison Bird, Makenna Bird, Christina Edwards, and John Edwards. Additionally, he is survived by his great-granddaughters that refer to him affectionately as Grandpa Snuggles and they will miss him dearly, Gabby, Adeline, Aniyah, Braelyn, and a little Bird boy on the way that he wanted so badly to meet. He is survived also by his stepmother Agnes Bird, siblings Phyllis and John Nordstrom, Carol Bird (Richard Bird), Paulette Bird (Robert Bird), Margaret Stanfield, and Linda and Dane Lair. Lastly, he is survived by a host of nieces and nephews around the country whose lives he has affected in various forms as they serve their own communities through ministry, construction trades, and finding ways to serve people. Public Visitation will fittingly be held where Garry attended and served for more than 30 years at the Turnpoint Apostolic Church, 7718 Groveport Rd, Groveport, OH 43125 on Thursday March 11th, 2021 from 4pm to 7pm with a Funeral Service following at 7PM. Garry will then be laid to rest at a private graveside service for family at the Arlington Field of Honor on Friday March 12th, 2021. The family requests that flowers please be sent to the church.