Frederick Joseph Bird, 94, was born in Lake Charles, LA, and moved to Oklahoma City in 1961. He is survived by his son, Rev. Stephen J. Bird, pastor of Epiphany Catholic Church, Oklahoma City; daughter, Elaine Stebler, of Ripley; grandson, Sean Stebler, of Perkins; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Virginia (Elfert); parents Frederick A. and Victoria (Bernard) Bird; brother Bernard Bird; sisters Lillian, Bernadette, and Mabel Bird, Velma Arceneaux, and May Brignac. Fred graduated from Landry Memorial High School in Lake Charles, LA, in 1935 and went to work for Murray-Brooks, Inc., an oilfield supply company. In February 1941 he enlisted in the U.S. Army. In July, he transferred to the Air Force and was sent to Radio School at Scott Field, IL. He graduated in December 1941, and was kept there as a radio maintenance instructor. In July 1942, he was accepted as an Aviation cadet and was sent to Ellington Field, Houston, for basic navigation training. From there he was sent to Hondo, TX, for advanced Navigation training. He graduated on April 1, 1943, and was assigned as a B-17 Navigator. After training in Blythe, CA, and Walla Walla, WA, he flew to England. He completed thirteen bombing missions. He was on his fourteenth mission to bomb Schweinfurt, Germany, when his plane was shot down. He bailed out at twenty-three thousand feet and was captured by Germans. He was taken prisoner on October 14, 1943. He remained in German prisoner-of-war camps until April 29, 1945, when he was released by a U.S. Army Armored Division. He was flown to LeHarve, France, where he boarded a ship and returned home. After being released from active duty in December 1945, he returned to work for Murray-Brooks, Inc. In 1959, Republic Supply Company of Oklahoma City bought Murray-Brooks and on February 1, 1961, Fred was transferred to Oklahoma City and worked for Republic Supply until his retirement in 1983. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America. He was an Eagle Scout, Vigil Member of the Order of the Arrow, was awarded the Silver Beaver, was awarded the Wiley Post District award, and received the St. George award given to adult Catholic Scouters. In 2006 he received a 75-Year Service Pin. Fred was also very active in St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church where, in 2003, he received the Humilitas award for his service. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and involved in many different capacities over a long period of years. He was also a member of Catholic War Veterans, Post 902. Fred was a devout Catholic, a loving husband to his wife, Virginia, for fifty-four years, a caring father and grandfather. He was a joy to be around. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Catholic Charities (1501 N. Classen Blvd., Oklahoma City, 73106), The Boy Scouts of America (3031 NW 64th St., Oklahoma City, 73116), or to another charity. A Vigil for the Deceased will be held on Friday, May 11, 7:00 pm, and the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 12, 10:00 am. Both services will be held at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, NW 50th and Grove, Oklahoma City. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. Mass of Christian Burial Saturday, May 12, 2012 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM St. Charles Borommeo Catholic Church 5024 N. Grove Warr Acres, Oklahoma,