David M. Birmingham

Retired Master Sergeant David Monroe Birmingham, 85, of Rogers passed away on September 18, 2017. He was born in April, 1932, in Tennessee to the late Chester and Lucy Birmingham. He was the beloved husband of 60 years of Bessie Birmingham. Retired MSG Birmingham was a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars, as well as Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. During his 26 years of service in the Army, he received numerous commendations including the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal, the National Defense Medal (with Bronze Star), and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. In addition to decades of serving his country, David was a proud husband, father, grandfather, and animal lover. He is a Past Master of Sunflower Masonic Lodge #86 in Wichita, Kansas and most recently a very proud member of the local VFW Post #3031 Honor Guard. In the years his family was growing, he enjoyed spending summers camping and boating on the lake. In his retirement years, he enjoyed traveling the world to visit new countries. While all of his trips were special and talked about often, one of his most memorable trips was visiting the beaches of Normandy. His favorite hobby for more than 30 years was as a HAM Radio operator. This gave him the opportunity to meet and talk to people around the world. His great love for animals and nature is the reason he always had spoiled family pets and would take in strays that showed up in his yard. Even wild animals would get a free daily meal from him because he would say "They get hungry too". Survivors include his wife, Bessie of Rogers; children, David Birmingham, Jr. of Derby, Kans., Donald Birmingham of Derby, Kans., Donna Ragland of Rogers, Ark., Rebecca Bough of Bentonville, Ark., JoAnn Johnson of Wichita, Kans.; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and his fur babies, Daisy, Lil Bit and Leggs. He was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Lucy Birmingham; brothers, Eulas and Coatney Birmingham; and sisters, Anne Wood, Louise Beardain, Viola Hopper, and Sarah Birmingham. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, September 21 at Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday at Rollins Funeral Home. Burial with full military honors will take place at noon in Fayetteville National Cemetery. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to VFW Post #3031 at 11160 N Old Wire Rd., Rogers, Ark. 72756.