Oral Birch, another member of the "Greatest Generation", left us on September 26, 2009.He was born in Bingham Canyon on February 23, 1924 to Cora Obray and J. Byron Birch. He lived most of his life in Sandy, Utah graduating from Jordan High in 1942. He was attending the U. of U. when World War II interrupted his life. He joined the Army Air Corps and began his training as a B-17 navigator. He and his childhood sweetheart, Marian Mazanis, were married at the Santa Anna Army Base July 31, 1943, later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. When Oral received his overseas assignment Marian returned to Utah. He was assigned to the 398th bomber squadron in England. On his 17th mission his plane was shot down and he became a Prisoner of War in Germany. He received many decorations for his service, including the Purple Heart. He returned to Sandy to raise his family: Kathy (Robert Damjanovich), Ken (Suzie), Robyn (Dennis Mansfield), Bryan (Callie), and Jim (Shelley). He has 16 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. He is a member of the LDS Church and served the Lord all his life. He was the Bishop of the Sandy Second Ward for many years and worked in the Washington D.C. Temple and the South Jordan Temple. He loved the Boy Scouts and was a leader and great example to many young men. Oral graduated from the U of U in Civil Engineering. He worked for the BLM in Cedar City, the Bureau of Reclamation in Salt Lake and Washington, D.C. He was the Chief of the Land Acquisition Branch and involved in the Central Utah Water Project. After retiring he went to work as a consultant for Western Area Power Association. He was active in the community of Sandy and a founding member of the Sandy Jaycees. He met monthly with his friends from the Sandy "Old Timers" Club for over 50 years. He loved the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and his favorite spot was his Cabin at Strawberry. He loved sports, attending all of his grandchildren's games and Jordan High athletic events. In 1999 he was honored as the state's 5A Fan of the Year. Oral loved to tell stories of his family pioneers and old Sandy. He shared his experiences from the war with school children and adult audiences all over the state. He was honored at many military gatherings. Oral has always been an example of hard work and strong ideals. During the last few years of Marian's life he cared for her with great devotion. He was a man of his word and a true gentleman. His friends and family will gather for a viewing at Goff Mortuary, 8090 So. State St., Thursday, October 1st , 6-8 p.m. and Friday at the Sandy Hillcrest 9th Ward, 915 East Peach Blossom Dr. (9100 S). from 9:45-10:45 a.m. Funeral services will follow starting at 11:00 a.m. Interment, Larkin Sunset Gardens.
Published in the Deseret News from September 30 to October 1, 2009.