Charles Clinton “Chuck” Bird

Charles Clinton “Chuck” Bird, 86, passed away on December 10, 2022.

He was born at home on October 18, 1936, to Basil Elisha Bird and Susan Elizabeth (Howell) Bird in Hill City, Kan.

He grew up living in many towns throughout the state, including Hill City, Bogue, and Plainville, before ending up in Stockton where he graduated high school in 1955.

While in high school, he worked for the Beck Hotel and Café.

Chuck joined the Navy right out of high school and was stationed in Pensacola, Fla. and Norfolk, Va., before being honorably discharged in 1959.

While in the Navy, Chuck met his future wife, Jacqueline (Jackie) Bailey when they became pen pals.

Chuck returned to Kansas after leaving the Navy, where he tried his hand in the oil fields.

Deciding that was not the job for him, he traveled to Denver, Colo. with the last $200 he had in his pocket. He was hired by Martin Marietta, now Lockheed Martin, retiring after 34 years.

Jackie and Chuck married on April 12, 1961, in Sullivan, Ind.

Together they moved to Arvada where they raised three children. They had been married for 61 years.

Chuck was an avid gardener, having the greenest thumb in town. When not gardening, he spent time volunteering in his community.

He spent seven years volunteering for Junior Achievement. The Arvada Food Bank held a special place in his heart, where he donated not only food but would make hundreds of Easter Baskets every year for the food bank to give out to children; nothing like seeing him in an Easter Bunny costume on the local news.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Normagene McIntyre, Imogene Thayer, Eldon Bird, and James Bird.

Survivors include his wife, Jackie; children Brent (Miller) Bird, Dane Bird, and Lisa (Dave) Couper; grandchildren Jordan and Kyle Coupler; sisters Sharon (Rod) Wente and Virginia (Ron) Hazlett; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on June 26, 2023, at Arbor House at Maple Grove Park, 14600 W 32nd Ave, Golden, Colo.

In lieu of flowers, Chuck asked for donations to the Arvada Food Bank, or the charity of the donor’s choice.