Daniel Bartow Bird, 80 years old, of Florence, Arizona, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 3, 2023, at his home.
Dan was born to his parents, Reginald and Margaret Bird, on September 30, 1942, in Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from Decatur High School in 1960. Dan attended Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) for a couple of years before enlisting in the United States Air Force. Dan enlisted in 1961 and was stationed at Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas. His rank was Airman 2nd Class for the 340th Civil Engineer Sq. (Strategic Air Command). He was honorably discharged in 1965.
Dan worked as a production manager for various apparel companies for over 30 years. These companies took him to various locations in Arizona, California, and Washington State. During these 30 years he also owned a manufacturing plant in Cananea, Sonora Mexico, and a restaurant in Mammoth Lakes, California. After his work in the apparel business, Dan decided to move to Arizona and work in Real Estate. While working in Real Estate, he also worked for the Links in Queen Creek Golf Course. Dan loved his job at the Links because of his coworkers and the major perk of playing golf whenever he wanted to.
Dan enjoyed living life to its fullest which included golf, fishing, sports, woodwork, making wine, sitting around the chiminea, and working with horses. Dan volunteered at Hoofbeats with Heart. Dan will be dearly missed by his family, his dog, Caddy, and many of his friends. He never met a stranger and was always so welcoming to many people.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Bird, of 45 years, his daughters, Rachel Bird and Wyndee Wendland (Stacy). He is preceded in death by his parents, Reginald B. Bird and Margaret (Gus) Wilson, and his daughter, Vanessa, and his grandmother, Ola Bentley.
We will never have enough time with the ones we love, even if we have a lifetime with them.
If you would like to remember Dan, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any of your favorite animal rescues. If you would like a suggestion “Hoofbeats with Heart” is where Dan volunteered.Nurturing Interactions With Animals | Hoofbeats With Hearts.