James "Jim" J. Bird Jr.'s Obituary
BIRD, James "Jim" J., Jr., age 98, of Spring Valley and formerly of Kettering, passed away Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Bellbrook Health and Rehabilitation.
Jim was well-liked, friendly, and a dedicated workaholic who enjoyed staying busy. He had a lifelong interest in genealogy research, fossil hunting, and preserving local history. At his Spring Valley home, Jim enjoyed caring for his pond, yard, and small farm, where he raised chickens, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, goats, peacocks, a horse, and ponies.
Jim had a deep appreciation for Abraham Lincoln and was an active member of the Lincoln Society of Dayton. His dedication to preserving Lincoln's legacy helped inspire the placement of the Abraham Lincoln statue at the Courthouse Plaza in downtown Dayton. Jim's name is also permanently recognized on the plaque at the Abraham Lincoln statue located at the Dayton VA Medical Center. He also served his community as a member of the Spring Valley Board of Zoning Appeals and the Spring Valley Historical Board of Preservation.
Jim was drafted into the Merchant Marines during World War II before proudly serving his country in the United States Army. While stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground, he became the first person to achieve the rank of sergeant at the installation, an accomplishment he remained especially proud of throughout his life. He also instructed others in the dangerous work of safely disposing of unexploded bombs. He served on the WWII merchant ship SS Ben Robertson. Of his many accomplishments, Jim was most proud of his military service.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Martha, in 2022; his parents, Alfred and Theresa Bird; a granddaughter, McKaila Johnson; and several brothers and sisters. He is survived by his daughters, Patricia (Gary) Zehring and Carolyn (Martin) Johnson; his son, Michael Bird; his granddaughter, Amanda (Ian) Hill; his great-granddaughter, Kimber; along with many other relatives and friends.
A graveside committal service with full military honors will be held at Dayton National Cemetery at a date and time to be determined. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Lincoln Society of Dayton or K9s For Warriors (service dogs for veterans), https://k9sforwarriors.org. Condolences may be shared with the family at https://www.stubbsconner.com.
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