James “Jim” Edward Bird, 85, formerly of Killdeer, died Friday, February 14, 2020 at his home in Andover, Minn. There will be a Gathering of Family and Friends from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 29, 2020 at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with a fellowship to follow. Military Honors will be provided by the Dickinson American Legion Post 3 Honor Guard. Inurnment will take place at a later date at the Medora Cemetery.
James Edward Bird was born April 25, 1934 in Sentinel Butte, the son of Earl and Norma (Lebo) Bird. Jim served honorably in the United States Army with two years stationed in Germany. He also served in the North Dakota National Guard for over 30 years, rising to the rank of Master Sergeant and had served as the Company First Sergeant.
Upon his return from the Army, he worked on a cattle ranch in Montana for a year and then moved back to Medora. He met Eileen Reiche and they were united in marriage in 1957 and to this union, 13 children were born. They moved to Elgin where he worked for the North Dakota Highway Patrol for three years. They returned to Medora where he started his long career with the North Dakota Highway Department. Jim and Eileen then moved to Killdeer in 1968 where they raised a family and where he worked for the Highway Department completing his 43 years with them.
He enjoyed fishing and making jewelry out of agates.
Jim is survived by his wife of 63 years, Eileen, Andover; their children, Jay Bird, Ham Lake, Minn., Ray Bird, Fargo, Ben Bird, Fairview, Mont., Tamara (Kim) Langord, Hazen, Teresa (John) Buckman, South Heart, Faye (Tom) Alexander, Tolley, James (Nadine) Bird, Denver, Colo., Deb Edgar, Gillette, Wyo., Shannon (Maureen) Bird, Bismarck, Dean Bird, Andover, Minn., Dana (Glenda) Bird, Dickinson and Jenny Augare, Dickinson; 29 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Judy Bird and Irene Barnhart; brother-in-law, Ted Kirkpatrick; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Robert Allen Bird; grandson, Ryan Edgar; parents, Earl and Norma Bird; son-in-law, Tom Edgar; brother-in-law, Gaylord Barnhart; nephew, John Barnhart; sister, Beverly Kirkpatrick; brothers, Robert Bird, Richard Bird and Gary Bird; and niece, Lynelle Bird.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Egan and his staff, Fairview Health and Hospice and staff for all the special care they provided Jim, and to his daughter Jenny and granddaughter, Heather, for all the care and support they gave him in his final hours.
