Glenn R. Bird, Quinter
September 6, 1930 - August 24, 2023
Glenn Bird, 92, of Quinter, went to his heavenly home for which he longed on Thursday, Aug. 24 in Wichita. Glenn was born on Sept. 6, 1930, in Brandon, Colo., to John and Ruby Walker Bird. As a young boy, he moved to a farm south of Quinter. Glenn had two younger brothers, Gary and Roye, and a sister, Lois, who died at an early age.
He enjoyed sports in school, participating in football, basketball and track. Glenn married his sweetheart, Arlene Coburn, at the bride’s home north of Quinter on Jan. 30, 1952, before shipping out to serve in Korea. They were blessed to celebrate 70 years of marriage and raised a son, Scott, and three daughters, Glenna Rae, Melony and Stacey.
He was proud to serve his country as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954 as a chief mechanic of the headquarters Battery Motor Pool. He received numerous commendations and medals. Glenn and Arlene wrote love letters back and forth daily during his absence.
Glenn’s faith and acceptance of Jesus Christ as his Savior was the basis for his life. He worked hard and truly lived his faith in all he did. Glenn was very active in and supportive of the Quinter Methodist Church.
Glenn was a quiet man of few words but deep thoughts, great integrity, and absolute honesty. He was selfless in his support and generosity to others and well known as a wonderful neighbor and community leader.
As a farmer and cattleman, he was a great steward of both the land and animals. In addition to the livestock, the Bird farm was well known for its variety of animals, including Bambi (an orphan fawn rescued by Glenn), peacocks, chickens, ducks, geese, llamas, sheep, pigs, dogs and cats. He planted windbreaks and cover crops, winning an award for Kansas Wildlife Habitat. Over the years, he worked closely with his father John Bird, father-in-law Sam Coburn, brother-in-law Sammie Coburn, nephew Lance Coburn, as well as dear friends who were also neighbors. They shared a special bond of love for family and the land.
Glenn and Arlene enjoyed square dancing, playing cards and games, and socializing with friends. They were highly involved in and supportive of their children’s school events and interests, encouraging them to develop their talents. Family was very important to Glenn, and even talking about or praying for his family would often bring tears to his eyes.
Glenn was an avid fisherman and hunter with special memories of times with his brothers, Gary and Roye, his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, friends, and other loved ones.
A relaxing hobby for Glenn was searching for fossils, rocks, and arrowheads in his beloved Horsethief Canyon. A prehistoric mosasaur and sea turtle were discovered there, excavated and donated to area museums.
Glenn, a successful farmer who loved to raise field crops of wheat and fall crops to provide for his family, relaxed by tending a vegetable and fruit garden. Glenn loved to share his bounty and deliver it to neighbors and friends.
In later years, Glenn enjoyed woodworking, refinishing and restoring furniture, rock polishing, and building birdhouses. He whistled as he worked, and in the last several months was known for his singing and happily dancing away.
Glenn spent his life loving and honoring his country and was a member of the American Legion. He wore his uniform proudly and participated in parades, Memorial Day ceremonies at the cemetery and funeral services.
Glenn will be so greatly missed by many. He is survived and will be lovingly remembered by his daughter Glenna Rae (Norm) Alexander of Leesburg, Fla.; daughter Melony (Gary) McClure of Assaria; son Scott (Sheryl) Bird of Quinter; and daughter Stacey (Scott) Wood of Wichita. He also leaves 16 adored grandchildren and 26 precious great-grandchildren: Avery (Kim), Abigail, Asher, and Theodore Alexander of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; Alden (Sarah), Isaac, Lillian, Benjamin, Jonah, and Hannah Alexander of Salina; Emily (Nathan), Caleb, Micah, and Levi Watson of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; Kesa, Lois Kael, Toben, Eleanor, and Thatcher Easter of Andale; Kimber (Chris), Madeleine, and Miles Breeden of Wichita; Mark (Lili) McClure of Topeka; Max McClure of Poděbrady, Czech Republic; Marissa (Jacob) and Quentin Jones of Springfield, Mo.; Michaela Bird of Kansas City; Stephen Bird of Austin, Texas; Matthew Bird of Overland Park; Sarah Bird of Overland Park; Valerie (Luis), Isabella, Samuel, and Aurora Alicea of Benton; Angela (Jonathan), Jacey, Jordyn, and Morgan Lee of Wichita; Olivia (Erik) and Blakely Harbutz of Wichita; Aimee (Taylor) and Lawson Carter of Olathe; and honorary son Jorge Rodriguez, Monterrey, Mexico.
Glenn was preceded in death by his beloved wife and best friend, Arlene Coburn Bird, on April 15, 2022. He was also preceded in death by his parents, John and Ruby Bird and sister, Lois Bird, as well as parents-in-law, Sam and Gladys Coburn, brother and sister-in-law, Sammie and Glenva Coburn, brother-in-law, David Coburn, and niece Maylene Dees.
The celebration of life will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, at the Quinter Methodist Church, 218 W. Fourth St. The recorded service will be available at www.schmittfuneral.com. Burial will follow at Baker Township Cemetery, Quinter.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, at Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 S. Main St., Quinter.
Memorial contributions may be made to Quinter Methodist Church, the Quinter Senior Center or the Quinter Ambulance Service and sent to Schmitt Funeral Home 901 S. Main, Quinter, KS 67752. Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.schmittfuneral.com.