Donald Lynn Bird, or as most knew him as Don Bird, died suddenly on Sunday, August 25, 2019, at the age of 62.  After serving 23 years, to the exact date, as Pastor at Antioch Church of the Nazarene in Overland Park, Kansas, he “preached his last sermon, served his last communion, sang his last hymn, sat down and saw his Lord.”

Don was born in Liberal, Kansas, on September 18, 1956, to Carolyn and Donald Neil Bird. He graduated from Sublette High School in 1974, MidAmerica Nazarene College in 1978 with a major in Religion/History, and Johns Hopkins University PhD program in 19th Century Political and Social History, ABD.

He married Sheila Vandervoort on August 13, 1977, together they have four children: Justin, Jessica, Jeremy, and Julie. His four JBirds as he would call them. He served a total of 32 years in ministry and touched hundreds of lives.

Donald Lynn was preceded in death by his father Donald Neil. Surviving are his wife of 42 years, Sheila; his four children, Justin and his two sons Matthew and Levi, Jessica and her husband Dave, Jeremy and his wife Christin, Julie and her husband Brenton and son Caiden; his mother, Carolyn; his two sisters, Valarie and her husband Keith and Melodie; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He died doing what he loved surrounded by people who loved him.

Visitation and Funeral Service

Visitation will be Friday, August 30, 2019, from 5-8 pm in the chapel at St Mark’s United Methodist Church where Don’s congregation met. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2019, at 10:30 am with an open casket from 10-10:30 am at Central Church of the Nazarene.

Memorial Contributions

Memorials can be sent to the Church of the Nazarene Foundation to establish the Don L. Bird Memorial Fund at the following link: https://egsnetwork.com/gift2/?giftid=E537961C5AFE42D.