Kern County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....Bird, Roylance ‘Lee’ June 21 2004
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
K Taylor bluewolf@onemain.com July 1, 2004, 12:58 am

The Tehachapi News 
Roylance ‘Lee’ Bird

June 10, 1918 – June 21, 2004

Roylance “Lee” Bird, 86, passed away peacefully with family at his bedside on 
Monday, June 21, in Ogden, Utah. 

Lee was born June 10, 1918, in Rexburg, Idaho, to Roylance Osborne Bird and 
Pheobe Merle Lee. He grew up in Salt Lake City, attending both elementary and 
junior high school there. His family moved to Coronado, where he attended and 
graduated from Coronado High School.  He returned to Salt Lake City and 
attended the University of Utah. 

He missed his high school sweetheart and returned to Coronado, where he 
married Frances Azalia Henderson Bird on Dec. 31, 1938. Lee and Fran were 
married 63 years.

Lee began working for the Bank of America in Coronado. While in Coronado, he 
was involved in numerous community organizations and projects, including the 
20/30 Club. 

In 1952, the bank transferred him and his family to Lancaster. Lee worked for 
the Bank of America for 42 years, retiring from the Lancaster branch.

True to his social nature, Lee continued to be actively involved in the 
Lancaster community. He was a lifetime member of the Lion’s Club and B.P.O.E. 
He volunteered for numerous years at the Antelope Valley Fair. He was also a 
member of the Antelope Valley Hospital board. His commitment to his community 
resulted in many awards, including the Unsung Hero award from the Chamber of 
Commerce.

In 1972, Lee and Fran moved to Tehachapi, where they resided in a house 
designed by their son Lance until 1998. While in Tehachapi, Lee became 
involved with the California Department of Aging and served with that 
organization for many years.

In 1998, Lee moved to Ogden, Utah, to better take care of his wife Fran, who 
suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. He was a tireless caregiver to his 
sweetheart for four years until her death.

Lee was a committed husband and father. He was very proud to have put all 
three of his children through college.

He is survived by his three sons: Lance (Jane) of Altadena, Bob (Florence) of 
Las Vegas, Nev. and Jim (Suzann) of Ogden, Utah; a sister, Rosemary Blaisdell, 
of Coronado; six grandchildren; and two great-grand children. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents and one grandchild, Adam 
Bird. 

Lee loved people and he loved talking with people. He was kind, optimistic and 
brilliant. He always accepted what life offered him, made the best of it and 
moved on with a pleasant attitude. He did the same when he was diagnosed with 
a brain tumor. As the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce recognized in the 1970s, 
he was a true “unsung hero” up to the end. He will be deeply missed by his 
family and friends.

In keeping with Lee’s request, no services will be held. Instead, the family 
will transport his remains back to Coronado to join his wife in a special 
ceremony at sea.

The cremation will be under the direction of Lindquist’s Crematory.

Friends may e-mail condolences to the family at lom@lindquistmortuary.com.


Additional Comments:
Volunteer submission - No relation to the deceased.

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