Barry L. Bird

Barry L. Bird, 73, died Wednesday, January 3, 2024. Rosary will be at 9:30 am, Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am, both on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Barry was born July 23, 1950, in South Charleston, West Virginia, to parents, Homer and Wanda (Jeffers) Bird. He was the 2nd oldest of four children. He often told stories of memorable childhood events with his parents, sister, and brothers, which would bring smiles and laughter to those who heard them. Barry enlisted in the Air Force which brought him to Wichita. He attended college at Kansas Newman where he met Mary, his wife, and started a family. He knew how fortunate he was and was quick to tell anyone what a great wife, mother, and cook he had married. Barry always had an entrepreneurial spirit when it came to business outlook, and he ran a number of businesses ranging from print shops and a variety of general contracting ventures. He and Mary had three children, Adam, Kate, and Joshua, that he was greatly devoted to. He devoted a significant amount of time to coaching them in a variety of sports, which brought him a lot of joy. He was devoted to all his family and always dropped everything, when any one of them was in need. He loved to golf, hunt, fish, play guitar, and piano and really just about any types of sports. Survived by his wife, Mary Ruth Bird (LaFleur); son, Adam (Kristal) Bird; daughter, Kate (Kellan) Corazzin; son, Joshua (Kirsten) Bird; grandchildren Blaise, Sidney, Kolbe, Beau, Evelyn, Hazel, Benedict, Jade, Cecilia and Charlotte, which he adored; siblings, Joyce (Michael) Lorentz, Dennis (Sharon) Bird, and Greg (Georgeanna) Bird. A memorial has been established with: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Grade School, 853 North Socora Street, Wichita, Kansas 67212. Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuary - West Chapel.