James E. “Jim” Bird, 83, of Columbia, MO, died Thursday, September 28, 2023, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 7, 2023, at Family Worship Center, 4925 E. Bonne Femme Church Rd., Columbia, MO 65201.  Visitation will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Marshall.  Private family burial with military rites will be in the Missouri State Veterans’ Cemetery in Higginsville.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials be made to Columbia Christian Academy or the charity of donor’s choice in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home.  An online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com.

Born July 24, 1940, in Kansas City, KS, he was the son of the late Arley L. Bird and Verda Marie Anglen Bird.  On April 3, 1981, he married Emily V. Borgman Schroeder who survives of the home.  Jim was raised in the Kansas City, KS area where he graduated from Washington High School in 1958.  After graduation he served in the United States Marine Corps for six years and then joined the Missouri Army National Guard, retiring in 2001.  Jim lived in California for 25 years before moving to Columbia, MO.  While in California, and in Missouri, Jim was a licensed funeral director and embalmer.  He worked for the United States Postal Service for 30 years, retiring in 2000.  Jim was a member of Family Worship Center in Columbia and volunteered at Columbia Christian Academy.  He was a longtime member of Green Valley Rifle and Pistol Club and a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.

In addition to his wife, Emily; he is survived by one son, Eric Bird (Selena) of Idaho; one daughter, Sharla Phelps (Scott) of Arizona; as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren; one brother, Larry E. Bird (Wanda) of Idaho; as well as nieces, nephews and other extended family.