Gerald Lee "Redbird" Bird Jr.

Gerald Lee Redbird Bird, Jr., 56, a resident of Orange and Hemphill, died Tuesday, June 26, 2012, at his home in Orange. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 30, 2012, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City. Cremation will follow the service. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., Friday, at the funeral home in Bridge City. Born in Orange on February 26, 1956, Redbird was the son of Gerald Lee Bird, Sr. and Delores (Kennedy) Bird. He was baptized a Catholic and attended St. Henry's Catholic Church in Bridge City. He was a 1974 graduate of Bridge City High School, an avid Bridge City Cardinal fan, and worked as a journeyman/foreman with Millwright Local 2484 in Orange. Redbird is survived by his loving wife, Candy Bird of Orange and Hemphill; parents, Gerald and Delores Bird of Orange; children, Monica Leigh Villarreal and her husband, Ruben, of Houston; Jared Lee Bird of Houston; Spc. Jeremy Lewis Bird with the US Army, stationed at Ft. Bliss in El Paso; Lindsey Bird of Nacogdoches; and granddaughter, Makenna Elyse Bird of Port Neches. Also surviving are his sisters, Charlotte Walker and Denzil Thompson of Nederland, Pam Vaught and her husband, Ronnie; brother, Rodney Bird; nephews, Jason Staton, Dusty and Matt Vaught, all of Orange; niece, Jenny Staton of Austin; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be Rocky Burgess, Jon Cole, Bo Bounds, Johnny Broussard, David Brown, Gary Flowers, Michael Methner, and Elmo Bird.