Posted by Keith Paul
Eldon and I met when we both worked at Lefebure in the 80’s. He was a Vault-Lock Technician and I was a General Bank Equipment Technician, though we often wore other hats. I remember one time we delivered a safe to a bank in Santa Rosa. The whole drive we discussed various course of fire designs for our mutual interest in Defensive Pistol matches. Another time our whole crew was in Reno for a weekend bank move. He and I worked to move a safe that was inside a mobile building in an area with a recessed floor, the safe was practically in a hole. There was little room to move around and the floor was very springy under the weight of that safe. We were a little concerned the floor might give way. We got that safe loaded on the truck and moved, But not without considerable effort and sweat. Eldon was a good work partner. He was hard working, steady and you knew he had your back.
Eldon and I always stayed in touch by phone as he lived in San Bruno and I live in Modesto. During a particularly dark time in my life Eldon was a steady voice I could talk to. I learned during this time what a good friend Eldon was and the depth of his wisdom.
Eldon, Richard Gardali and I attended many Gun Shows together. We would browse all the firearms displays, purchasing an item here and there. Then we would always stop for lunch afterwards. But we all knew the main reason for going was to spend time together, though this was unspoken as it often is with men.
Eldon and I shared a love of firearms and competition. We shot in many IPSC and IDPA matches together. He was always very quick to help another shooter in any way he could. He always tried to introduce other people to the shooting sports. Kurt Howerton was guided by Eldon into competitive pistol shooting. Those two went to many matches together car pooling from the Bay Area. Eldon and I also attended Cowboy Action shooting matches together. Eldon took the alias of Ranger Grant. In the Old West the highest praise that could be given was “He will do to ride the river with” and this certainly applies to our friend Eldon Bird.
You left us too soon brother,
Keith Paul
This song reminds me of Eldon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3KQTOAtVcw&feature=related