Earl Birch

Earl Gillis Birch, Sr. was born March 6, 1934 in Manchester, Kentucky, to Joe and Bettie Birch. When he was old enough to work, he always made sure he had a job because he loved to work and be able to buy what he needed and wanted. He would work hauling dry ice, helping in hardware’s and working in the coal mines. Once old enough to leave, he would make his way to Lexington where he had two daughters, Patty Sue and Donna Jean.
He moved to Cincinnati, where he would meet Carol, whom he called “Nicky” and begin the process of becoming a legend in Cincinnati and the Birch Family. He obtained a job at a Tire Company selling new tires on Court Street. He would keep the used tires that came off customers’ cars and pedal them down through Kentucky out of his car and his brother’s cars.
Once he left his job, he decided to open up his own shop, becoming the first to success- fully open a used tire shop in Cincinnati. He would bring in his brother’s whom he would teach the trade and pave the way for their success. He opened up Earl and Gary’s Best Buy Tire Shop with his brother-in-law. Then he opened up Cincinnati Tire where he would later sell the name to a bigger company, which opened up doors for other shops and adventures.
Earl and Carol were married in 1968. From their union, they had five (5) children: Earl Jr., Donald, Timothy, Matthew and Lisa. Early on, he was a member of The House of God, where he was an Ordained Deacon under the leadership of Pastor Mary B. Morton. He loved God, cherished his family and loved helping in the church and helping people in the community.
He went on to open up Downtown Tire which would eventually turn into Midtown Tire, and is still in business today at 1100 W. Northbend Road in Finneytown. Earl didn’t stop at tires. He wanted his hand in as much as he could. He owned a bar called Uptown Bar, gas stations, Towing Companies, broadcasted on WCIN on Sunday mornings, and even managed the Isley Brother’s before they became famous.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Bettie; brothers, Charles Edward, John Will, Donald Ray, Mitchell and Reid; sister, Mary; sister-in-laws, Ruth, Jennie and Barbara; and grandson, Derrick and son, Earl Jr.
He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Carol of 53 years; children, Patty Henry (Jonothan), Donna Brown (Charles), Donald Birch, Timothy Birch (Marilyn), Matthew Birch and Lisa Birch; one sister, Jewell Stewart; brothers, Carl Birch, Albert Birch (Margaret) and George “Trigg” Birch; 33 grandchildren, Jason, Joy, Adarryl, LaTonya, Derrick, Donthal, Kayla, Jylin, Leron, Tawnya, Stephanie, Kellie, Eric, Antwan, Don Jr., Leslie, Latoya, Javonna, Jasmine, Donovan, Ron, Chaz, Carissa, Laray, Tim Jr., Anastasia, Deangelo, James, Frances, Matt Jr., Brandon, Kobe and Tommy; 38 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.