Stephen LaMar Bird

Stephen LaMar Bird was born of goodly parents Edwin Lamar and Nola (Johnson) Bird in August 1945 in Spanish Fork, Utah and passed away recently at his home in La Verkin, Utah. Steve lived in many places during his childhood, mostly Utah County, where he graduated from Springville High School in 1963. He married Kathie Talbot on November 23, 1963 (later divorced). They were blessed with two children, a daughter, Gena, and a son, Greg. On August 20, 1994, he married DoraLee Larson, and they were later sealed together in the St. George Temple. DoraLee has two daughters from a previous marriage, Megan and Stacie Sampson. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Steve served in many positions and had a deep love for his La Verkin Ward. Steve enlisted in the US Air Force in 1966, attended Basic Training and Tech School in Texas, to become a crew chief working on both B-52 bombers and KC-135 refuelers. He served in the Vietnam War during his four years of active duty. He was stationed at Ellsworth A.F.B. in South Dakota, and he deployed to Anderson A.F.B. in Guam. He was honorably discharged in 1970. In 1974, he re-enlisted in the Air Force and became a traditional Guardsman for the Utah Air National Guard. He was assigned to the 151st Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and worked numerous jobs until June of 1998 when he was promoted to the Senior Enlisted Advisor. This position later became the Utah Air National Guard Command Chief Master Sergeant, the highest enlisted position in the state of Utah. In this position Steve was responsible for all affairs concerned with the enlisted personnel for the Utah Air National Guard working directly for the Adjutant General. He retired in 2005 with more than 36 years of service. Steve led a life of service. He volunteered for 15 years as a Public Education Presenter for Donor Connect, after receiving the gift of life in 2003 through a life-saving liver transplant made necessary by Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis—a chronic liver disease that caused his liver to fail. He traveled to many Utah schools talking about the importance of being an organ donor. We are eternally grateful to the Osmond family for their courageous decision to honor Adam’s choice to donate his organs, giving Steve more than 20-years of life filled with family, friendship, and cherished memories. Steve was a member of the American Legion Post 100 in Hurricane, Utah serving in many positions including Commander. He loved serving the veterans, doing service for the community, and supporting the youth programs that promote citizenship and encourage leadership development. Steve loved nature, camping, hunting, fishing, dirt bikes, 4x4ing, golfing, traveling, and spending time at his beloved cabin in Mount Pleasant. As a trained meat cutter, he loved to help process deer and elk for his family and friends over the years, always taking pride in the care and precision he brought to the task. Steve and DoraLee with their many friends loved taking their side-by-sides exploring around Southern Utah. They also loved their yearly golf tournaments with the Wild Bunch. Many good stories came out of these adventures. Steve was an honorable man and a true friend. His word was his bond – when Steve said he’d do something, you could count on it. He was dependable, steady, and always willing to lend a hand, no matter the task. He had a quiet strength and a deep sense of integrity that earned him the respect of everyone who knew him. He never sought the spotlight, but his actions spoke louder than words. He lived with kindness, loyalty, and a deep commitment to those he cared about. Steve made the world better just by being in it, and anyone who knew him felt that. Preceded in death by: Parents LaMar and Nola, granddaughter Sydnee Laura Bird, brothers-in-law Kevin Birch, Don Romer, and Dennis Peterson. Survived by his wife DoraLee; children Gena (Bird) Brower, Greg and Laura (Woodall) Bird, Megan (Sampson) and Brian Carter, and Stacie (Sampson) and Jason Mazzota; siblings Marie (Bird Peterson) and Tom Lui, Lynn and Colleen Bird, Birdena (Bird) Birch, Cleone and Lynette Bird, Theressa (Bird) and Jim Alvey, Kristene (Bird) Romer, Clinton and Wendy Bird, and Chadley and Patty Bird; Grandchildren: Joel, Kyle, Jacee, Ashlee, Sheridan, Landon, Peyton and Adrienne; Great-Granddaughter Zoe and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family would like to thank his many friends, doctors, nurses and other caregivers for the love, care and concern that they have expressed for him during his battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 14th from 1-3 pm at the La Verkin 7th Ward building: 70 South 300 West, La Verkin, Utah 84745. Casual attire is welcome. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice.

Stephen LaMar Bird

August 28, 1945 - June 1, 2025