Elry """"Early"""" Bird, 82, resident of Biloxi, died April 18, 2006 in Biloxi.
Mr. Bird was a native of Bates, Arkansas and was a WWII, U.S. Army Veteran. He worked in the oil industry his whole life. He was president of Best Industries in Houston, an oil field equipment manufacturer. Mr. Bird was Methodist, and known for his sense of humor, cheerful spirit, and practical jokes played on his grandchildren, like offering them money for who could hide or be the quietest the longest.
Mr. Bird is preceded in death by his parents, Blackmon and Mattie Oxford Bird; two brothers, Verdon Bird and Kenneth Bird and two infant sisters.
He is survived by his wife, Jessie Bird of Biloxi; his children, Deborah Debes of Houston, TX, Ron Bird of Tomball, TX, Don Bird of Austin, TX and Larry Jordan of Aledo, TX; two sisters, Eva Langham and Glen Burnett both of Tyler, TX; grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials be made to Gaston School Museum, P.O. Box 301, Joinerville, TX 75658.
Gulf Coast Funeral Homes, Three Rivers Road Chapel, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements, and an online guestbook may be signed at www.gulfcoastfh.com