Reverend Geary F. Bird, originally of Joseph, Oregon, and recently of Canon, GA, crossed the bridge to Heaven at 5 pm on April 17, 2023. He was at home and surrounded by family when he passed. Geary was one week shy of his 92nd birthday. He lived a fruitful, productive, and in many ways, exciting life. Through his ministry, his life, and his example, he was an inspiration to everyone who knew him.

Geary was the eldest of five sons raised by Fred and Alice Bird, and is survived by his brothers: Donald of Hartwell, GA, and David of Halfway, OR. He also leaves behind two sons, Dennis (Kris) and Mike (Debra), a daughter, Karen (Skip) and daughter-in-law, Cathy. He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce and son Chris.

Geary was born at home on April 25, 1931 in Vale, Oregon. He grew up on Divide and Big Sheep, remote areas in northeastern Oregon where his ancestors homesteaded in the late 1800s. He learned a lot about life while growing up on the ranch. He married Joyce Showers on December 30, 1951. He owned and operated a thriving retail business in Enterprise and Klamath Falls, Oregon. In 1965, he heard the call to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and at age 40, he was ordained as a minister in the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. He led churches in five cities in Michigan and retired to Canon, Georgia in 1995. In retirement, he continued to serve churches in Toccoa, Seneca, and Hartwell. He enjoyed travel, woodworking, gardening, and spending time with family.

A celebration of his life will be held at 11am on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Toccoa, GA. Interment will follow at Prairie Creek Cemetery, Joseph, Oregon with Military Honors.

His life is memorialized in a biography by author Kenneth Overman. It is called A Matter of Life and Death: The Geary Bird Story and is available on Amazon. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Geary F. Bird Memorial Fund, which is designated for Lutheran World Relief, ℅ Trinity Lutheran Church, PO Box 1154,  Toccoa, GA 30577. www.give.lwr.org .

The Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.