Michael John Bird March 15, 1963 - January 20, 2021

Michael John Bird was born to Jenny and Milton Loadman on March 15, 1963. When he was 10 years old, his stepfather, John Asbury Bird, legally adopted him.

Michael was born in Long Beach, California, and grew up there. He graduated from Millikan High School and played the trumpet in the school band. He absolutely loved the United States Marine Band. His father, John, spent over 23 years in the Navy, at sea. His great-great uncle, Admirable Byrd, discovered the South Pole. When Michael turned 18 years old, he joined the Navy and was afforded the chance to go to the South Pole on an expedition to the McMurdo Base.

When Michael was 20 years old, he married and had two children, Michael John Bird II and Michelle Leanne Bird. He lived in Ashtabula, Ohio, and served as a policeman for five years. He loved being an officer; Michael was a very protecting person at heart and loved helping people. When he was 30 years old, he was divorced and moved back home to Long Beach, California.

Michael met Melissa Gonzalez, his second and last wife, in January 1996, at work in Anaheim, California. He felt that he had finally found his soulmate. Their courtship was quick and by February, he asked Melissa to marry him. Michael and Melissa were together from their first date to the day he died, 26 years. Michael accepted Melissa’s son, Eric, as his own and loved him very much. Michael and Melissa bought their first house in the year 2000, in Lake Elsinore, California.

Michael worked for Bridgestone/Firestone in California as a store manager. He worked his way up to assistant district manager and was moved to Arizona for two years. He was then moved to Utah, where he was the district manager. For the last five years, he has worked for Burt Brothers in Silver Summit (Park City area), Utah. Last year, he was promoted to service manager. Michael loved his job. He loved the location, the customers, and the guys he worked with, especially Eric Critchley and Monte Garvis. He felt like they were family. Michael especially felt close to his boss and friend, Cory Burt.

The loves of his life were his wife, Melissa, and 7-year-old son, Lyric. Michael and Melissa adopted Lyric in 2013. Michael truly believed that Lyric was their spirit child and had been with them in former lives. Michael adored watching Lyric grow into the sweet boy that he is.

Michael was the protector and provider of his family. Family was everything. He was a beloved husband, father, son, brother, and trusted friend. He is truly missed.