ELFORD, Jon

Jon Elford, 62, of Buckeye died July 15, 2006. Mr. Elford was born Dec. 8, 1943, in Framingham, Mass., and moved to the Phoenix area in the 1950s, before moving to Buckeye. Mr. Elford worked as a firefighter and emergency medical technician for the Buckeye Valley Fire Department, and as a Phoenix police officer and communications specialist for the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. Mr. Elford also worked as truck driver for Patrick Cudahy Meats and Safeway Inc., and drove heavy equipment on oil fields. He was also a butcher, stockyard worker, mechanic, ace shade tree mechanic and lawn mower at various points throughout his life. Mr. Elford was a representative of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and was appointed to serve a term on the Buckeye Airport Commission. Mr. Elford is survived by his wife, Ellen Elford; four daughters, Kim Elford-Wiley, Kelly Brassfield, Wendy Elam and Tracy Dillon; one foster daughter, Christi Marti; one foster son, Tom Berkes; his mother, Jacqueline Elford; two sisters, Jean Dougherty and Barbara Snyder; five grandchildren; six foster grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Service is pending. Source: West Valley View July 26 2006