Victor Dwayne Birch

Victor Dwayne Birch arrived in this world on November 19, 1960, and departed on September 25, 2022. He leaves behind his loving wife, Anne; two children, Leah (David) Holmes and Gregory (Shelby) Birch. He was the son of Frederick H. Birch and Celeste Birch; the beloved brother of Sheila (Peter) Hall, Aleada Nicholson, Erich (Marta) Birch, and Carmen Birch; and part of a very large loving extended family. He was a lifelong resident of Mobile, attending St. Joan of Arc Catholic school, making lifelong friends even at that young age, a common habit of Victor that he continued through all his other stages of life. He then attended McGill-Toolen High School, graduating in 1979. Victor followed his brothers to Vanderbilt University, receiving a degree in psychology in 1983. It was in college that he began his love of running. Victor returned to Mobile, a decision that set in motion three things that would set the course for the rest of his life: first, he followed his own dad by taking a job with the U.S. Post Office as a mail carrier; second, he met Anne at a 4th of July party in the summer of 1984, leading to his life’s love and commitment to her (the marriage took place in May of 1987 on Mon Louis Island, after which they celebrated the birth of their two talented children); third, he started running in local groups. The story of the young Birch family was lots of laughter, mostly prompted by their delightful dad, Victor. Adventures were always a part of the family life. Whether it was soccer coaching, marching band dad, or Boy Scouts, Victor was instrumental in making it happen. Victor was a loving husband and dad. Victor loved running. He started running in the early 1980s, and just kept on running. In January 2000, in order to help a young girl in his son, Greg’s, class, he ran his very first marathon through Team In Training, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Victor worked to raise money with help from St. Dominic, St. Rose, and the U.S. Postal Service, which was sufficient to send the girl and her family to Disney World. The running continued, and in 2002 he ran his first Boston Marathon; he would run two additional Boston Marathons. Victor would go on to run a total of 16 different marathons in several states, and was the outright first place winner of the Apalachicola, Florida, inaugural marathon in 2010. Then in 2021, at the age of 60 when most people are thinking of slowing down, Victor instead stepped up his game and entered and completed an Ironman competition in Waco, Texas. Helping was a hallmark of Victor’s life. If someone needed help, Victor was there. He was active with the St. Rose of Lima Church, being on the parish council, helping with its programs, and serving at the annual Lawn Parties. He could be found helping to repair plumbing, painting, installing curtains, cleaning, mowing his Mom’s lawn, etc. Any runner needing help preparing for a competition could count on Victor to meet them early in the morning, late in the evening, whenever, to run by their side and push them along. Victor loved God in a way that the love was poured out on others. Everyone that knew him loved him back. He touched so many lives and made them all better in the process. He will be missed tremendously. A visitation and celebration of life will be held on Friday, September 30 from 4 to 8 PM at St. Rose of Lima Church, 2951 Durette Ave, Coden, AL 36523. On Saturday, October 1, a rosary will be said at 9:30 AM, then the funeral mass will be held at 10 AM with a repast to follow, also at St. Rose of Lima Church.

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Victor Dwayne Birch

November 19, 1960 - September 25, 2022