James Bird

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Story Published: Oct 3, 2007 at 11:40 AM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 7, 2008 at 1:12 PM MDT

By Tommy Noel

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"We lived on a farm up in the Milo area," says James Bird.

I thought I knew where most cities are in Eastern Idaho. But I've never heard of Milo.

Thanks to our cool map program, you can see this town is just west of Ririe.

"When we went to Idaho Falls, sometimes it would be a once a month thing. Everything we lived on was from the farm. We raised a lot of our vegetables.. We had beef, a pig, or something we could have for the winter," says James.

James met his wife about 47 years ago at the Bowlero in Idaho Falls.

The Birds have 6 kids and 23 grandchildren.

"If you get them all together at the same time, it's pretty loud," says James.

James taught school for 12 years, and was a principal for 22.

"It was very enjoyable. I liked hands on with the kids and doing things with them," says James.

After he retired as principal of Ucon Elementary, James had plenty of time for his pasion.. Riding horses.

"I learned to ride a horse before I was four years old," says James.

James and Shirlene take any chance to ride their horses.

"We've been up around the Tetons, north and south.. We've been all over the valley taking rides," says James.

I thought I learned everything until his wife informed me he was a pretty good softball player.

"That was before slow pitch came in. I enjoyed playing," says James.

From softball pitcher to elementary school principal. James Bird definitely has a story.

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