Shelby John Bird, age 93, of Bluebell, passed away June 21, 2014, at the Uintah Basin Sr. Villa in Roosevelt. He was born February 25, 1921, in Bluebell, to Clarence and Lydia Lisonbee Bird. He was raised in Bluebell alongside his 12 siblings. John was drafted into the Army during World War II. He served in the Phillippines until the Peace Treaty was signed and he returned home in December 1945. He met and married Donna Powell in June 1951. She passed away May 23, 2005. They had three children, Gary, Geneal, and Carma. John worked at the CC camp in Bridgeland during the depression. He was 16 years old at the time. He hauled lots of coal, then milk for Hi-Land Dairy and Nelson & Rick Creamery in Mt. Emmons for 13 years until a heart attack made him slow down. He also worked as an equipment operator and helped to build Sandwash. He was a mechanic for L&L Motors for 2 years, worked for T&D Construction, and finally Ned Mitchell Construction, of which he retired from. He loved anything to do with the mountains: camping, picnics, fishing, and deer hunting were some of his favorite things to do. You could always find him pitching a game of horseshoes while in the mountains, and he could make it look so easy. John also liked to garden, he grew a really big garden every year and it was the goal of the grandkids to see if they could find a weed in his garden. John was very good at fist fighting and loved a good fight. He was in so many fights over the years that he had his throat broken twice and his nose numerous times. He loved to pull the grandkids aside and give them pointers on how to stand up for themselves. At one time, John was able to yodel and was very good at it. This ended when his throat was broken for the first time. He loved his family and took great joy in teasing the grandkids and great-grandkids. John survived numerous heart attacks over the years, he said he was too ornery and stubborn to let it get him down. He was respected by all who knew him, and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his children, Gary (Jackie) Bird, Bluebell; Geneal Jessen, Boneta; Carma (Ben) Jessop, Bluebell; 10 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren; brothers Jack Bird and Deloss Bird; brothers-in-law, Sherm Sorensen, Arvil (Barbara) Powell; sisters-in-law, Lois Bird, Arsulla Bird, and Ola Bird. He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna Powell, son-in-law, Johnny Jessen; brothers, Charles, Oran, Alvie, Irvin, Clinton, Leo, Marion, Melvin, and sisters Dolly Sorenson and Stella Ames. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, June 25, 2014, at 11:00 a.m at the Bluebell Cemetery. There will be a viewing that morning at the Hullinger Mortuary from 9:30 am to about 10:45 a.m. Burial will be in the Bluebell Cemetery with military honors.