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Gary Bird
He was a corporate cowboy. Gary Bird worked in risk management, but his great joy was riding horses. He was practically born in the saddle. His mother was riding horses when she was eight months pregnant with him, until her doctor stopped her. He lived in Tempe, Ariz., where he kept three quarter horses. He rode as often as he could, including multiday trail rides. His wife, Donna Killoughey Bird, and two children, Amanda, 15, and Andrew, 13, rode, too, but Mr. Bird was the avid one. If he wasn't surrounded by open spaces, he would get edgy. In 1984, he was in New York for four days to attend a conference. By the fourth day, he told his wife, "I'm really claustrophobic here, because I can't see the horizon." As she put it, "It was a case of `don't fence me in.' " Mr. Bird, 51, took last summer off and spent a good part of it training a new filly named Dani. On Sept. 7, he rode the filly with a saddle for the first time. On Sept. 10, he began a new job as senior vice president at Marsh & McLennan. He was to work out of Phoenix, but spent the first two days in New York for meetings. On Sept. 11, he had a three-hour meeting starting at 8:15 a.m. at the Marsh offices in the World Trade Center. He told his wife he'd be home in Tempe by 8 p.m. for dinner.
Copyright (c) 2001 by The New York Times Co. Reprinted by permission.
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| Dear Donna, Amanda and Andrew, We will always hold dear the memory of the Seton Catholic football game held in Sahuarita, Arizona, just south of Tucson. The game was played on one of the early anniversaries of 9/11. Te sky was amazing, setting in a symphony of colors as Andrew and our son Brian walked hand in hand to greet the four captains of the opposing home team. Andrew had been chosen team captain that day and he and Bri- Bri, two young warriors met the opposing 4 captains for the coin toss and final instructions from the referees. Yes they were outnumbered and undersized playing against a heavily favored Sahuraita home team. Every person on Seton's team and every fan that made the journey for the game knew what today was and wondered what young Andrew Bird had been going through emotionally all week. From the kick off Andrew and his teammates took control, a sack by Andrew, a fumble recovery, an interception. The parents cheering on from the stands kept looking up to the sky almost wondering if Gary himself was right there watching his beautiful son play the game of his life. Call it a presence, call it a Blessing or call it a proud dad watching his son from the best seat in the house. Seton won 56 to something, the score didn't matter. After the game the players and coaches knelt down on the field up next to the grandstands where all the fans we kneeling too. We all listened to the coach as he and Andrew's team mates dedicated the victory to Andrew and his outstanding performance. All the fans, parents, coaches and players knelt and prayed with tears streaming down our faces. Andrew spoke of his love for his father and his gratitude for his mom, sister and team mates and then he dedicated his and his team’s performance to his father. We've never seen a team play as well as Seton played that day nor have we ever seen a more stirring remembrance to Gary and all of the 9/11 victims than the tribute that was played out that night. A group of young men rose above themselves and honored their friend Andrew, the memory of his father Gary and brought honor upon themselves and Seton Catholic High School Football. The stadium was empty, the teams loaded on busses, the janitors had swept away the last of the remnants from the rowdy football crowd and sitting there in the bleachers was the shadow of a man, a proud father, replaying the moments of joy and pride he had witnessed that night when his young son Andrew became a man. With much love to you all, Terry, Donna, Brian and Devin Murphy |
| terry,donna,devin and brian murphy, 11/16/2009 2:03:40 PM |
| Gary was my friend,mentor,and teacher.He tried very hard to teach me diplomacy and patience.He kidded me I was pig-headed and I proved it to him riding a pig into the Tempe Jaycee meeting to kick off a pre membership drive.The theme was ,a wild and crazy year.Gary let me have it after this made front page of our town paper and I promised him I would never do it again I would follow his teachings, to the letter, to become a respected president of our organization.Gary you were the best teacher and role model an inexperienced leader could want.I know you were helping others in the WTC Towers while you silently said goodbye and I love you to Donna,Amanda,and Andrew.I would like to think there is a reason for good men like you to be taken from us before our time.You know I always believed in destiny.Remember the saying ,looking down from us in heaven,the good die young.Don't be mad at me ,but I showed the pig picture to Amanda and Andrew,just after your memorial service at St Tims.They all had a great laugh and it lightened the moment.You should be proud how Donna and your children are growing in spite of their loss.You are missed. |
| Dr. Jeff Eger, 9/11/2009 8:07:43 PM |
| Your family has been in our thoughts and prayers on this day as well as others. As their were so many heros, he was definitely one of them. God Bless! The Clodfelters Michael, Lisa, Kayli, and Brooke Lynda McGinley's sister |
| Lisa Clodfelter, 9/11/2009 10:59:37 AM |
| Gary was a member of the Mohave County Union High School Senior Class of 1968, in Kingman, AZ. We are having our 40th class reunion next weekend and we will be remembering Gary and the other 17 members of our senior class who are no longer with us. Gary always had a smile for everyone, and from what I've read on the various tributes to him, it carried through in everything he did. My thoughts and prayers were with him, his family, friends and colleagues today as I saw his name come across the TV screen this morning, while watching the national memorial tribute. Jan Ripper-Morehead |
| Jan Ripper Morehead, 9/12/2008 12:08:39 AM |
| I Myself Have only met gary once but,My mother Diane Bird and Grandmother, Joan Bird had told me stories of how close my mother and Gary were. my mother sobs from time to time about Gary, but always told me he was an Honest & Responsible man. I will always remember around Christmas time Gary,Donna,Andrew,& Amanda would send Myself and my family a Christmas card with a Gift card for Barnes & Nobles. Thank you for the Christmas memories Gary and Family you will always be remembered Love your Nephew Robert R. Mcgrail |
| Robert R Mcgrail, 11/30/2006 3:10:13 PM |
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