Obituary of Devaughn Bird

DeVaughn Bird, age 89, passed away on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at his home in Merritt Island. DeVaughn was born on December 10, 1927 in Strong Arkansas to his parents Clifton Asberry Bird and Gladys Lily Mae Chandler Bird. He had six brothers and one sister. DeVaughn is survived by his proud family; His beloved wife: Wilhelmine Therese Bird (Wilma); His sons: Frank R. Bird, DeVaughn Peter Bird, & Robert A. Bird; His daughters: Norma D. Stevens & Suzanne G. Greene; His grandchildren: Hilary MacTaggart & Kelly Berry (parents Robert & Jane Bird), Donald Stevens & Christina Stevens (parents Norma & Donnie Stevens), Jack Greene, Mathew Greene, & Winston Greene (parents Suzanne & Charles Greene); and His great-grandchildren: Sarah, Kirsten, & Jacob (parents Hilary & Trevor MacTaggart), Wyatt Berry (parents Kelly & Paul Berry), Adalyn & Tanner Surrency (parents Christina and Matt Surrency), and there are new great-grandchildren on the way. DeVaughn and Wilma shared life together for 67 years and were very happily married. His main goal in life was the happiness of his dearly loved wife Wilma, and all of his family. He worked very hard his entire life to ensure their happiness. DeVaughn was wonderful father whom his family loves so dearly. His religious faith was Southern Baptist. For fun, he really enjoyed being in the outdoors going sightseeing, fishing, gardening & growing fruit, beekeeping, reading (self-education), country music, sports, and especially being around his family. DeVaughn retired from his primary occupation as a Major in the Air Force after serving as an Electronics & Communications Officer Specialist after 24 years, and then afterwards from a career as a Real Estate Broker in Merritt Island, Florida, where he built his last home. DeVaughn served in WWII where his tour took him to Germany (part of the American Occupation Forces) where he married his beloved wife Wilma, in Munich Germany married in the Standesamt in Munich. He served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and also toured in Japan, Hawaii, and several states in the US. DeVaughn grew up on a 600 acre farm in Arkansas where he (as a youngster) and his family made a living from crops and livestock, back when many rural people had to struggle to survive, which is where his love for farming began. After getting his academic education in public school, he completed his Bachelor Degree at the University of Maryland, while serving in the Air Force. At the age of 14 he left home to start a life on his own and at the age of 16 joined the Air Force, fudging his age to get in. DeVaughn was a wonderful father, an amazing man, and gave our family, its start and his support, through the years of his life. We dearly miss him and will always carry him in our thoughts. To all our family and friends, please join in on the celebration and tribute to his life.