Retired Air Force Captain Carson Grady Bird, age 31, of Newnan, Georgia passed away November 26, 2016, surrounded by his family. After being diagnosed with Chondrosarcoma in September 2015, Carson inspired many by his faith, strength, and determination through countless surgeries, treatments, and rehabilitation at the Center for the Intrepid, a rehab center for amputees and wounded veterans. Carson has donated his body to advance medical research and understanding of this rare form of bone cartilage cancer.

Carson is survived by his wife, Brittany Jean Bird; grandfather James William Bird, Hilton Head Island, SC; father, Michael Gorham Bird, Forsyth, GA; brothers William Taylor Bird, Virginia Beach, VA, and Gorham Williams (Jamie) Bird, Palmetto, GA; nieces and nephews, Kylee Ann Bird, Brenden Knight Bird, James Bennett Bird, Owen Lane Bird, and Emersyn June Bird; "The Great 8"; loving aunts and uncles; and numerous cousins, whom are more like siblings. Carson was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Marguerite Grady Bird (2006); maternal grandfather, William Ronald Biggs (2011); mother, Belinda Sue Biggs, for whom he helped provide care following a very rare sarcoma (2014); and maternal grandmother, Ruth Ann Biggs (2015).

Carson was born May 14, 1985 in Beaufort, SC. After his first three years of life enjoying the beaches of Hilton Head Island, the Bird family spent the next three in Muskegon, MI, followed by five years skiing the slopes of Boise, ID, and three years on the water in Spirit Lake, IA. The family then moved to Sharpsburg, GA where Carson graduated from Northgate High School in 2003. Following high school Carson attended the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School. Carson earned a degree in social sciences and graduated 2nd Lieutenant from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2008, a feat celebrated by sharing a fist bump with President Bush at graduation. Carson would later go on to earn his masters degree in sports management in 2015.

Since he was old enough to run and catch, a football was always in Carson's hands. Starting early with flag football to breaking records in High School, Carson was born to play the game. The sport would help develop Carson's self-confidence, determination, and ability to persevere through any adversity. While attending the U.S. Air Force Academy, Carson played football all four years as a defensive back and became a forever member of the Bolt Brotherhood, for whom he'd draw on for support through the remainder of his life. Carson was known for his innate understanding of the game and was honored as a 2007 All-Mountain West Conference defensive back. In September 2016, Carson was the honorary football captain of the Air Force Falcons at Falcon Stadium with the Bolt Brotherhood by his side.

Carson served in the U.S. Air Force as a communications officer for eight years before his medical retirement in July 2016. During his U.S. Air Force career, Carson served oversees while deploying to Qatar in 2010. Following his first deployment, he was promoted to Captain in 2012. Carson's final deployment was to Afghanistan in 2012. Following his last deployment, Carson would return to the Air Force Preparatory School to coach the defensive backs.

During the off season, Carson enjoyed playing guitar, fishing, snowboarding and other adrenaline-inducing activities. After receiving the cancer diagnosis, Carson and Brittany, his then fiancé, moved back to Georgia in 2016 to be close to family and undergo treatment. Carson would stand at the alter as the two would exchange wedding vows before family and friends in August. Carson and Brittany both recommitted their lives to God and were baptized in October.

The family celebrated Carson's life at Trinity Episcopal Church, in Marshall, MI. Carson will also be honored at the Air Force Academy, in Colorado Springs, at a date and time to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, Carson has requested donations be made to Pigskin Patriots, a non-profit organization that serves U.S. Military member's children with free football and cheerleading camps lead by NFL players. To donate, please go to pigskinpatriots.org/donate. Please also consider donating to One Leg Up On Life, an organization that seeks to glorify God and help children live life to the fullest by providing prosthetic limbs to child amputees who cannot afford them. To donate, please go to oneleguponlife.org.