Donald Roy Gifford |
| Posted 2008-02-23 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Thursday, February 21, 2008 Donald Roy Gifford, age 82, son of Orie Daniel Gifford and Alliene Potter Gifford, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008. He was born Jan. 1, 1926, in Kansas City, Jackson, Mo., and graduated from Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kan., May 23, 1944. Donald signed up for the Army Air Force Bomber Unit on Jan. 3, 1944, before graduation and was discharged on May 14, 1946, as a Carbine Expert and Aerial Gunner after earning the American Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and the Victory Ribbon. In his youth, he enjoyed roller-skating and became very adept at circles and backward skating. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 640 in Phoenix, Ariz., from 1961 to 1981. He married Carol Jean Nickum in Kansas (later divorced) and had four children: Steven D. Gifford of Burlington, Kan.; Teresa K. Gifford of Portland, Ore.; Scott W. Gifford of Brigham City, Utah; and Judy L. Gifford of Phoenix, Ariz. He married Mary Frances Cheek Wells of Phoenix, Ariz. on Nov. 11, 1961 (now deceased). She joined his family with her seven children: Terry Wells of Salt Lake City, Utah; Nancy Wells (Jewett) of Centerville, Utah; John M. Wells of Phoenix, Ariz.; Douglas K. Wells of Dearborn, Mich.; David R. Wells of Williamsburg, Iowa; Samuel Wells (deceased); and Rebecca R. Wells of Phoenix, Ariz. He had 34 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. His dry humor and quick wit and skills will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, 2008, in the LDS Chapel, 4748 West Orangewood, Phoenix, Ariz. Internment will be in the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Cave Creek. Heritage Memory Mortuary assisted the family with arrangements. Information provided by survivors. |
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