Bobby Lee Bird was born on September 26, 1934 to James J. Bird and Bessie (Terry) Bird in
Gerster, Missouri. He passed away February 12, 2024 at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.
He was one of 9 siblings born to James and Bessie Bird.
In 1976 he met Patricia Knowles. They were married May 16, 1980. Their union was blessed
with 3 children, a son Bobby and 2 daughters Cheryl and Brenda. He had 7 grandchildren that
he loved very much.
He worked hard his whole life from working on local farms, to running machinery to build
bridges throughout Missouri and burying cable for K-BLE in Clinton, Mo, where he retired from
at age 62.
He loved taking his children camping and fishing when they were younger and later in life,
spending time with his grandchildren. One of his favorite hobbies was gardening and loved to
share what he grew with others. If he wasn't gardening, he was taking care of his yard, talking
to his purple martins or listening to a record from his collection. He also enjoyed finding
treasures at local flea markets or yard sales. He loved telling stories about the good old days
growing up when Gerster was a bustling town and train depot.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Bessie Bird and siblings.
Bob is survived by his wife Patty Bird, his 3 children, Bobby Eugene Bird, Cheryl Ann Ball and
Brenda Sue Adams and her husband Robert, and his seven grandchildren, Perry Rucker, Mariah
Ball, Rachael Ball, Natalie Adams, Elijah Adams, Naomi Adams and Isaiah Adams and other
relatives.