Franklin Bird

Franklin (Frank) Bird



Franklin (Frank) Allen Bird passed away April 16, 2023 at the age of 91. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 65 years, Jane Trujillo Bird and his daughter Carol Turner. Frank died in Sierra Vista AZ after moving there from Albuquerque in 2017 to be near his adult children.

Frank was born in Nixon TX but grew up in Stockdale TX where he lettered in three sports. Being from a Texas ranch, he worked the oil fields and rode bulls at the rodeos as a young man. He joined the Marines in 1950 serving in the 8th Marine Tank Division in the Korean War. After attending Texas Tech University and St. Joseph on the Rio Grande University in Albuquerque Frank was hired by IBM in Alamogordo NM in 1960. He had a rewarding career with IBM where he loved learning new technology and meeting people. Mr. Bird retired from IBM after 27 years in 1987, being promoted from Sales Tech to Branch Manager to Regional Manager, moving across the country many times with his wife, Jane. They loved traveling all over the US, Canada and Europe.

Frank served 2 terms in the NM State Legislature (1985 â€" 1988) where he enjoyed politics and also helping with budgeting and finances. He frequently gave financial advice to friends and relatives. After his retirement from IBM Frank became a consultant and even spent 2 years in Wellington New Zealand in the 1990's. Frank had a long and fulfilling life.

Mr. Bird is survived by his son Michael L Bird (Terry), step-daughter Lenore Gnos (Brian), and sister Wanda Chandler (Tom); granddaughters Heather Yates (Dempsey), Katherine Galletta and Rhiannon Bird as well as Grandson Anthony Ortolani ( Marus) and 9 great grandchildren. Funeral services have already taken place and internment was at Gates of Heaven in Albuquerque.