Ronald Dean “Ron” Bird passed away on December 16, 2021, at the Rooks
County Health Center in Plainville, Kansas at the age of 73. He was born
on December 25, 1947, in Russell, Kansas to Albert and Wanda (Potter)
Bird. Ron was united in marriage to Connie Bell until they later
divorced. They were blessed with a daughter, Rhonda. He later remarried
Leona Rutherford and they had three sons together: Brian, Shane, and
Travis.
Ron spent his early years in Great Bend until moving to Plainville
where he graduated from Plainville High School with the Class of 1965.
He went right to work as a heavy equipment operator, working several
years for the state, and later the oil field. He also owned his own
dozer business for many years - “Ron’s Dozer Service; and he didn’t
stop working until recently when his health declined. If Ron wasn’t
working, he loved fishing, hunting, and camping. His favorite lakes were
Glen Elder, Kirwin, and later Webster. He was proud of his kids and
enjoyed watching them excel at sports and just spending time with them
and his grandkids. Ron was a very competitive person; he refused to lose
in a game of Rummy, be out-fished, out-bowled, or his kids to lose a
sporting event. He had a soft heart with a harder exterior; and was
always willing to lend a helping hand.
He is survived by his wife, Leona Bird of the home in Plainville,
KS; children, Rhonda (Mark) Weingrad of Great Bend, KS, Brian (Ashley)
Bird of Richfield, NC, Shane (Lauren) Bird of Oberlin, KS, and Travis
(Katelin) Bird of Plainville, KS; siblings, Mary Jane “Janie” Davault of
St. John, KS and Clair Bird of Ponca City, OK; and eight grandchildren,
Ashley, Autumn, Ryanne, Jayden, Kennedy, Lanie, Lexie, Taysom; and one
great-grandchild, Mac.
Ron is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Wanda Bird; brother, Michael Bird; and brother-in-law, Dace Davault.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 14, 2022 at 11 AM at the First Christian Church in Plainvillle.
Memorials are suggested to the Rooks County Health Center or the
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and may be sent in care of
Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd St., Plainville, KS 67663.