Carolyn Bradford Bird, long-time Hays resident, died early Wednesday, October 28, 2015, at KU Medical Center hours short of her 65th birthday. Her husband, John T. Bird, and their children and grandchildren were at her bedside.
Carolyn was a notable presence at Fort Hays State University as an advocate, student, teacher, and athletic administrator. She retired in October 2014 after 25 years as an educator, Assistant Athletic Director and Academic Coordinator. The study center she established in the Athletic Department was renamed earlier this year as the Carolyn Bird Technology and Learning Center. She was especially pleased that during her tenure the graduation rate for student-athletes grew to exceed that of the general student population.
Carolyn Marie was born to Ed and Betty Bradford in El Reno, Oklahoma, on October 29, 1950. The family moved to Dodge City, Kansas, where Carolyn attended elementary and high school. She moved to Topeka, where she met and married John T. Bird, and while beginning a family with him, assisted him in attaining a law degree from Washburn University. They moved to Hays, John’s hometown, in 1974, where he began his law practice and Carolyn completed a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in History at Fort Hays State University.
She is survived by her husband, John T. Bird, and their children and grandchildren. They are Amy Bird and her daughter Samantha Kochanowski and significant other Jack Kelly; John M. Bird and his wife Gipsy and sons Cameron and John E., Hays; Patrick Bird and family, Portland, Oregon; Jessica Bird, Gina Galpin and family, Garden City, Ks; and two foster daughters and their families. She is also survived by her brothers Jim and wife Monica, Silver Spring, Maryland, and Rick and wife Nancy, Mt. Vernon, Illinois, and their families, her Bird sisters Martha, Grants Pass, Oregon, and Susan, Washington, D.C., and brothers Michael and wife Kathy, Grants Pass, Oregon, and David and wife Lori, Draper, Utah. Hundreds of current and former student-athletes throughout the world, many coaches and fellow educators also count themselves as part of the “Mama Bird” family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Betty (Hauenstein) Bradford, grandparents, and her mother-in-law, Agnes T. Bird.
Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 3, 2015, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hays.
Visitation will be Monday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a parish vigil service at 7 p.m. all at the church.
Carolyn and the family have established the Carolyn B. Bird Fort Hays State Scholarship fund, to which memorials are suggested in lieu of flowers to Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel, 2509 Vine, Hays, Ks, 67601.
Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email to [email protected].
