In Memory Of
George Raymond Bird
1932
2021
George Raymond Bird
March 17, 1932 — November 21, 2021
George "Ray" Raymond Bird (also known as Pappap), 89, of Overland Park, KS (formerly of Fairport, NY) passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Nov. 21, 2021. He was a lover of golf, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dr. Pepper, and M&Ms. Born March 17, 1932 as a St. Patrick's Day baby in Rochester, PA to Irene E. (Gerber) and George W. Bird. Ray graduated from Rochester High School in Rochester, PA in 1949. After graduation he joined the United States Army and honorably served his country, finishing his service as a Sergeant.
Following his military service, he started working at Crucible Steel where he met the love of his life, Nancy Lee English. They married in 1953 in East Liverpool, Ohio and were happily married for 68 years. While Ray was married and working, he received his bachelor's degree from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA where he graduated with High Honors in Business Administration. Ray started his career in an entry level position and rose through the ranks of Crucible Steel and several other divisions. He continued his career as Chief Financial Officer of Fairbanks Morris (Kansas City, KS) and Garlock Inc. (Rochester, NY). After retiring from Garlock, he continued working as a financial consultant for many years. He was a proud member of Oak Hill Country Club, Asbury United Methodist Church, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Order of the Elks, and was also a Freemason.
He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy; his daughter, Debra Waldman of Danville, VA; his son, Daniel Bird, of Overland Park, KS; his sister and her husband, Lois (James) Cunningham of Rochester, PA; his brothers-in-law and their wives, William (Mary Lou) English of Strasburg, OH; and James (Donna) English of Lakewood, CA. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jessica (Jason) Hanna of Kansas City, MO; Brian Waldman of Greensboro, NC; Craig Waldman of New York, NY; and Stephanie Waldman of New York, NY; three great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; former daughter-in-law, Michelle Bird; and many other friends and family. In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by two of his sisters and their husbands, Susan (Dennis) Tooch and Judy (Marshall) Hensley; his stepfather, James W. Smith; and his son-in-law, Gary Waldman.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. A celebration of life service will be held at 2pm on Friday, December 3rd, 2021 at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home (14275 S. Black Bob Rd Olathe, KS). Interment will be held at a later date in Beaver County, PA.
To view a livestream and/or recording of his service please use the following link.
https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/authorise.php?k=1638321387151165
To leave a message of condolence for Ray's family, or to share a special memory of Ray, visit the guestbook below.
Following his military service, he started working at Crucible Steel where he met the love of his life, Nancy Lee English. They married in 1953 in East Liverpool, Ohio and were happily married for 68 years. While Ray was married and working, he received his bachelor's degree from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA where he graduated with High Honors in Business Administration. Ray started his career in an entry level position and rose through the ranks of Crucible Steel and several other divisions. He continued his career as Chief Financial Officer of Fairbanks Morris (Kansas City, KS) and Garlock Inc. (Rochester, NY). After retiring from Garlock, he continued working as a financial consultant for many years. He was a proud member of Oak Hill Country Club, Asbury United Methodist Church, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Order of the Elks, and was also a Freemason.
He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy; his daughter, Debra Waldman of Danville, VA; his son, Daniel Bird, of Overland Park, KS; his sister and her husband, Lois (James) Cunningham of Rochester, PA; his brothers-in-law and their wives, William (Mary Lou) English of Strasburg, OH; and James (Donna) English of Lakewood, CA. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jessica (Jason) Hanna of Kansas City, MO; Brian Waldman of Greensboro, NC; Craig Waldman of New York, NY; and Stephanie Waldman of New York, NY; three great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; former daughter-in-law, Michelle Bird; and many other friends and family. In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by two of his sisters and their husbands, Susan (Dennis) Tooch and Judy (Marshall) Hensley; his stepfather, James W. Smith; and his son-in-law, Gary Waldman.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. A celebration of life service will be held at 2pm on Friday, December 3rd, 2021 at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home (14275 S. Black Bob Rd Olathe, KS). Interment will be held at a later date in Beaver County, PA.
To view a livestream and/or recording of his service please use the following link.
https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/authorise.php?k=1638321387151165
To leave a message of condolence for Ray's family, or to share a special memory of Ray, visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of George Raymond Bird, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Celebration of Life
Friday, December 3, 2021
Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Olathe Chapel
Guestbook
Visits: 3
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