Obituary of Gary A. Bird

Gary Bird, 57, of Iowa City, went home to be with the Lord on Easter Morning, Sunday, April 4, 2010. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, April 8, 2010, at Parkview Evangelical Free Church in Iowa City with burial at Oakland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the church. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Gary’s memory to used to add to our memory garden where Gary has spent so much time. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. We would like to keep memories of Gary for his future grandchildren to see and read. Gary Alvin Bird was born on February 1, 1953 in Des Moines, Iowa to Alvin M. Bird and Lucille M. (Horn) Bird. He graduated from Des Moines East High School in 1971. Gary graduated from Iowa State University in 1975 with a degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology. Gary married Lois J. Puderbaugh on December 23, 1977, at Westchester Evangelical Free Church in Des Moines, Iowa. They have two children Tyler and Katherine. Gary worked for Capitol Police in Des Moines from February 1980 to November 1981. He went through the Department of Public Safety Academy in 1980. Gary transferred to Iowa City where he spent his entire career of 27 years from November 6, 1981 to November 6, 2008. He retired on his anniversary date of November 6, 2008. During his years with the State Patrol, Gary was a member of the Tactical Team, a Technical Accident Investigator, a Field Training Officer, and an Abandoned Vehicle Officer. He was twice honored as the Department of Public Safety’s “Employee of the Month.” His post was District 11 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Gary was a member of Parkview Evangelical Free Church in Iowa City. He enjoyed nature and being outdoors, working in his flower gardens, and bird watching. He was a devoted family man who enjoyed going to his kids’ activities which included many soccer and basketball games over the years. Gary’s family includes his wife, Lois; son, Tyler; daughter, Katherine; four brothers, Michael (Sandi) of Polk City, Steve (Patti Beeler) of West Branch, Jeff of Cloquet, MN, and Randy of Des Moines; two brothers-in-law, John (Sheryl) Puderbaugh of East Peru, Iowa, Steve (Deb) Puderbaugh of Candia, NH; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. We would like to thank the staffs of the University of Iowa Hospitals and the Pleasantview Home in Kalona for their care of Gary and our family.