Ronald Dean Bird

November 1, 1938 - July 19, 2021

Ron passed away July 19, 2021, at home surrounded by his family. Ron is survived by his wife or 44 years, Vincetta “Cookie” Bird (née Lovano); his daughter and son, Paula Irion of Waxahachie, Texas and Eric Bird of Dallas, Texas. He is also survived by five grandchildren that he loved, Kasey, Kyle, Nick, Katharine and Christopher; and three great-grandchildren, Mason, Evie and Eli. Ron was born November 1, 1938 in Fairfield, Missouri. He graduated from Southeast High in Kansas City in 1954. Soon after graduation, he married and was drafted into the Navy. While in the Navy he learned computer programming (Machine Accountant Petty Officer 3rd Class at discharge) and after living for a time in Norfolk Virginia, he returned to the Kansas City area where he finished his service had his two children Paula and Eric. He divorced in 1972 and relocated from Kansas City to Grand Rapids, Michigan where he married Cookie on July 3rd, 1977. They lived in Grand Rapids for the next 14 years. While Ron was living in Grand Rapids, he went back to college and graduated with two degrees from Aquinas College: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Theology. His marriage to Cookie also led him to the Catholic Church. Ron loved the Church, the compassion of the ministries, and the intellectual approach to the faith. He devoted much of his time to studying the teachings of the Church and the Church Fathers, with his office full of books on the faith. He served as a Eucharistic Minister, Catechism Teacher, along with many other activities, during his years of service to the Church. Ron was also a member of the Knight of Columbus, 4th degree. Ron and Cookie moved to Phoenix in 1991 and lived there until their recent move to Cleveland. While in Phoenix, Ron became an avid motorcyclist, and was a founding member of The Geezers Motorcycle Club. He and Cookie traveled the region and country on their Harley’s in retirement; meeting many friends and creating memories on the twisty roads he and Cookie loved to ride. Memorial contributions may be given in Ron's memory to The Amedisys Foundation (Asana Hospice) or the Humane Society. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, August 2, 2021 at 10 AM at St. Peter’s Church, 35777 Center Ridge Road, North Ridgeville, OH 44039. He will be privately interred with military honors at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville, Ohio.