Arthur Alan (Al) Gifford |
| Posted 2008-02-24 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Friday, February 8, 2008 Arthur Gifford, 78, of Prescott, Ariz., born Oct. 29, 1929, in Las Vegas, Nev., passed away Feb. 3, 2008, in Prescott, Ariz. A gathering and celebration of life will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, 2008, at Sunrise Funeral Home, 8167 E. Highway 69 in Prescott Valley, Ariz. ------------------------------------- The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Tuesday, February 12, 2008 Arthur Alan “Al” Gifford has ‘slipped the surly bonds of earth’ and has departed on his last flight into adventure. Born Oct. 29, 1929, in Las Vegas, Nev., Al died peacefully in his sleep Feb. 3, 2008, at his home in Prescott. He grew up in Las Vegas, Nev., where his father worked for the Union Pacific Railroad. After graduating high school in Las Vegas, Al attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas at Reno for a year where he lettered in basketball. In 1947, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served until 1952. Al was a photographer and was in charge of the photo lab and responsible for all gun cameras and film on base installed in the aircraft. Receiving an Honorable Discharge as a Staff Sergeant, he followed his love of flight into the airlines. As a station agent for Western Airlines in Denver, Colo., he met his future wife and love of his life, Helen Thomas, who was a Western Airlines stewardess. Married in 1955, they moved to La Jolla, Calif., for a year before moving to Prescott, where Al was a station agent at the airport for Bonanza Airlines. In the early ’60s, a change in occupation occurred when Al went to work for Allen & Olson Architects as an architectural draftsman. Two projects he was involved with were the construction of Taylor Hicks Elementary School and the current Prescott High School. During the late ’60s and early ’70s Al became part of the design team for the Prescott College campus on Willow Creek Road. He eventually went out on his own and became a contractor in the ’70s. During this time, Al was championing new housing technology: passive solar and alternative construction/insulation methods. It was during the housing slump in the late ’70s that Al dropped his contractors license, continuing being a draftsman as well as teaching at Yavapai Community College in their industrial arts program for two years. Retiring when Helen was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 1988, Al kept busy with his many activities. As a boy growing up next to the Union Pacific tracks, his love for trains rivaled his love of flight. He was always buying, selling and trading model trains, and for many years, Al was the “train repairman” for the hobby shop located on West Gurley. The last passenger train to leave Prescott had the Gifford family on board. A summer trip was made to the White Mountains to ride a steam train. He was able to feed his love of flight in several ways. He was one of the founding members of the Prescott Soaring Association, a group formed for flying gliders in the Prescott area. Model airplanes were a fascination, both flying and display. Al was one of the founding members of the first radio-controlled airplane clubs in the area. Two of his scale display models (made from paper) are still in the display cabinet at the post office on Miller Valley Road. After retiring, Al used his contractor/architect skills when he joined a newly formed chapter of Habitat for Humanity. He was one of the sparkplugs who helped the chapter survive and grow in the early years. In fact, the very first Habitat house built here in Prescott was constructed on a lot donated by Al. But his life wasn’t just trains, planes and houses. There were books. He was a voracious reader on many subjects. His memory remained sharp up through the last day, and he was an amazing walking encyclopedia on aviation history. Al loved gardening and working in the soil. Everyone around knew that come summertime, there would be plenty of zucchini and tomatoes! Of course there was family – two sisters, a brother, their families, Helen, daughter Sherie, and son Scott. To his granddaughters Ashley and Emily, he was their beloved ‘Papa.’ Family activities ranged from summer trips, boating on Lynx Lake, panning for gold on Lynx Creek, and eating at El Chaparral Restaurant. He taught his granddaughters the joys of puzzles, cards, growing plants, feeding and watching birds. Life was good, and fun. More importantly, Al lived the simple life. He was generous and giving. He believed in the Golden Rule. Al was preceded in death by his wife Helen; parents, Arthur and Francis (Printz) Gifford; brother Robert; and sisters Beverly (Ash-ton) and Marjorie (Adams). He is survived by daughter Sherie Gifford; son Scott Gifford (Dawn); and granddaughters Emily and Ashley Gifford. A Celebration of Life will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008, at Sunrise Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to either Prescott Public Library or to Prescott Area Habitat for Humanity. Sunrise Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements. Information provided by survivors. |
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