OBITUARY

Donald Lacy Bird

March 7, 1927 – March 7, 2013

Donald Lacy Bird of Dallas lost his battle with cancer on his 86th birthday, March 7 2013. Don was born in Dallas, Texas in 1927. He served in the Navy during World War II. In 1948, he earned a BS degree in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University. He worked briefly for Anderson Clayton in their cottonseed oil group. He joined Shamrock Oil and Gas in 1951. Don retired from Diamond Shamrock in 1994 as Vice President of Engineering. He continued to consult after retirement, and worked on many projects in the United States as well as international projects requiring travel to Costa Rica, Bulgaria, Germany, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Romania, Argentina, Bolivia, Nigeria, Mexico, Japan, Malaysia, and Canada. His last consulting trip was to Iraq at the age of 80. He had a long and successful career in the petroleum industry, but his passion was aviation. In 1973 he earned his pilots license. He held a multi-engine Airline Transport Pilot Rating, glider rating, and was a flight instructor. He owned various planes over the span of his career but perhaps his most cherished plane was the Lancair he built when he was 78 years young. Don was an avid skier. He was a man who loved to learn and loved technology especially Apple computers. He was a member of Christ Church in Plano Texas. He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years Mary Frances Wilson. He is survived by his wife Amelia Midgette Bird, his sons Douglas Bird (Kathi) of Round Hill VA, John Bird (Deanna) of Allen, TX Brian Bird (Lori) of Hutchinson, KS. and his daughter Mary Karlik of Waxahachie, TX. His step-children Keith Midgette (Lori) of Newport News, VA, Vanessa Napier (Dennis) of Chesapeake, VA, and Mark Midgette (Sharon) of Raleigh, NC. He had 23 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. A Funeral Service will be at 11:00 am on Monday, March 11, 2013 at Christ Church Plano, 4550 Legacy Dr. Plano, TX 75024. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Dallas, TX followed by a reception. The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home in Dallas. Online condolences may be made to Sparkman-Hillcrest .com.

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Services

  • Visitation Sunday, March 10, 2013
  • Funeral Service Monday, March 11, 2013
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REMEMBERING

Donald Lacy Bird

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John Auers

March 19, 2013

I am so sorry to hear of Don's passing but more importantly am so glad I got to know him over the last few years when he came to work at Turner, Mason & Company as his last consulting assignment. Don truly was 80+ years young. He had the enthusiam and zest for life that all of us should strive for and there was not a time when I didn't enjoy visiting with him. I am especially happy that I had a chance to visit with him one last time when he came to the company Christmas party this past December. He will be truly missed here in this life but I certainly look forward to meeting up again with him in the next glorious and eternal life.

Stephanie Fawcett

March 13, 2013

Be at peace, Don. My love and prayers are with you and your family.

Diane Skillrud (Sandee at the time)

March 12, 2013

My thoughts and prayers are with the family. I worked at Diamond Shamrock during the time he was there and found him to be a very sweet, gentle man. May he rest in peace. He is with the Lord.

March 11, 2013

Rest in Peace Mr. Bird. Amelia, we are all thinking about you! Tina Reynolds

March 11, 2013

I didn't know Donald much, but I do know is sweet wife Amelia. Having known her for 4 years, I can imagine what a special man he was by the way she talked about him. Rest in Peace Donald. Miss Amelia, we are all thinking about you! Tina R

JIm Jones

March 11, 2013

I really enjoyed working with Don his few years at Turner, Mason. Having been an independent refiner myself, I found Don to be a kindred spirit and we traded numerous refinery stories during those limited years he was at TM&C. He had a marvelous sense of humor and a keen wit, which I really appreciated along with his wealth of refining knowledge. We certainly miss him.

Johnie Olson, Captain American Airlines

March 11, 2013

I have not seen Don in years but remember him so fondly. Almost every time I fly a plane I remember his sage advice and attention to detail. I have so so much to thank him for. He was a fantastic flight instructor and genuinely kind man.

Arline & Bobby Silverthorn

March 11, 2013

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Mark Doyle

March 11, 2013

Don and his wonderful family were so good to my brother and I growing up. He was generous, kind and inspirational to us both.

Amanda and John McDevitt

March 11, 2013

Wish we could be there with everyone. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

IN THE CARE OF

Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home
Dallas, TX
214-363-5401