John Louis Birsner

John Louis Birsner was born in St. Louis, MO, April 16, 1944, to Dr. Frank and Mary Birsner. He grew up in Carthage, MO, attending Mark Twain Elementary School and McCauley High School. He graduated from St. Gregory’s College in Shawnee, OK, and Pitt State University in Pittsburg, KS.

He began his career working in summers to learn the art and science of the construction industry. He always enjoyed seeing the projects coming together and respected all aspects of the operations. Upon graduation from college, he took a job with the St. Paul Insurance Company and lived in Minnesota for several years.

As his expertise grew in insurance, he became a specialist in construction bonding and was transferred to Atlanta, GA, to establish the regional bond department of the St. Paul Insurance Company. He was sent to Oklahoma City, where he settled with his family, eventually becoming an independent insurance agent. At the time of his passing, he was associated with the Insurance Agency of MidAmerica, Inc.

John had vast knowledge of animal and bird life. He enjoyed hiking and exploring the outdoors and could readily identify bird calls and recognize their seasonal migration patterns. He had a keen respect for conservation and was concerned about waste of any kind.

He loved sports, especially the St. Louis Cardinals, and could recall statistical information about games and players past and present. Most years he could predict who would be playing in the World Series. He also enjoyed watching OU football games with all the guys at regular Saturday watch parties in the fall.

John will be missed by family and friends for the faithful man he was. He is survived by his wife Janeen Myers Birsner, his sons Joe and Cody Birsner and their families, Jeff Mallory and his family, Elizabeth McCallister, Meg Ormiston-Graves, Anne Ormiston Heck, Galt M. Ormiston and their families, his sisters, Barbara Graue and family, Rebecca Reynolds and family, eleven grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

A celebration of John’s life will be held at Britton Christian Church, 922 N.W. 91st Street, Oklahoma City, at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.