Martin Douglas Bird

June 21, 1947 - September 1, 2013 Martin Douglas Bird was a wonderful husband, father, Popi, brother, uncle, coworker, and friend. Martin (Marty) was born in Louisville, KY on June 21st, 1947. He grew up in French Lick, IN and eventually made his way to Flint, MI with his father William, his mother Lillian and his two brothers David and Tom. Martin graduated from Hamady High School in Flint, MI in 1966. His high school activities included drum major, band, and wrestling. Martin married his high school sweetheart, Sherrill Wells in 1968 after he returned from Vietnam. While abroad, Martin served as a Military Police and guarded several generals. After the war, Martin served out his military commitment at Fort Benning, GA. Martin and Sherrill then moved to Flint, MI where Martin began a career with the County Road Commission while attending Detroit College of Business. Martin graduated Suma Cum Laude with a degree in Business. After graduation, Martin took a job at IBM in Flint. Eventually, this job took him and his family to Denver, CO. Martin retired from IBM in Boulder. At some point in the early 90's, while working at IBM, Martin determined that he was going to be paying for 12 consecutive years of college for his three children. He decided that he needed to earn extra money in anticipation of those college year expenses. He and his family started two paper routes and continued with those for several years. He then accepted a position at Wal-Mart in 1993 where he worked for almost 20 years. Martin was a hard-working provider for his wife and three children; Melissa, Brian and Hilary. He also loved old-time radio, fishing, classic cars, motorcycles, reading, Diet Pepsi and sweets (especially fudge and Peeps). Martin adored his two "boys", Brooklyn and Sofia, both age 4 as well as his two older grandchildren, Jeremiah and Emileigh, both age 13. We are truly thankful that because of his relationship with Jesus Christ, which began and was cultivated at Mayfair Bible Church in Flushing, MI, we will all be reunited in Heaven. Martin will be dearly missed by his family and friends.