Gerald Harris Gifford, 79

Gerald Harris Gifford, 79, of American Fork, Utah, died at his home on July 23, 2009. He was born Nov. 15, 1929, in Boise, Idaho, the second son of Warner Levi and Mary Ethel (Harris' Gifford.

Gerald graduated from Emmett High School in Emmett, Idaho in 1947.

He married LaRee Atkinson on June 14, 1949, in the Salt Lake Temple. She and their son, Eldon, preceded him in death.

He served a six-month mission in the Central States Mission in 1950.

Gerald married Virginia Hale Johnson on Aug. 17, 1951, in the Salt Lake Temple.

Gerald sold tractors in Emmett early in his married life. Gerald was a dairy farmer in Columbia Falls for many years. He and Virginia raised their nine children in the Flathead Valley. He also worked as a heavy equipment mechanic. Later in his life he worked for Salt Lake Hardware in Utah and was a contractor in Mesa, Ariz.

Gerald possessed many talents, especially fixing things. Whether mechanical, electrical, or just confusing to most everyone else, he could take things apart and fix them. He loved to have fun, and spent many hours with his family waterskiing, fishing, and camping. Hunting was a strength. In Columbia Falls, he and two friends were called many times to protect friends and neighbors and their properties from aggressive grizzly bears. He would always solve the problem without getting hurt. Gerald was a private pilot, owned his own Piper Comanche and loved to fly.

Gerald was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as Scoutmaster, Sunday school teacher, Young Men's president, branch presidency counselor and stake high counselor.

Gerald is survived by Virginia, and their nine children, LaRee Johnson of Mesa, Kevin Gifford of Gilbert, Ariz., Marilee Eyring of Eloy, Ariz., Warner Lynn Gifford of Gilbert, Angela Johnson of Gilbert, Rebecca Brower of Peoria, Ariz., Virginia Lee Pothier of Menomonee Falls, Wis., Seldon Gifford of Wylie, Texas, and Alan Gifford of Gilbert; 47 grandchildren; 57 great-grandchildren; brothers, W. LaVon Gifford and Grant R. Gifford of Alpine, Utah; a sister, DeAnn Baird, of Carbondale, Ill.; a sister, Evalee Fish, of Yukon, Okla.; a brother, Milton E. Gifford, of Cottage Grove, Ore.; and a sister, Melanie Watkins, currently in the Philippines on a mission. Gerald was and is beloved by all.

A graveside memorial was held on July 28 in Emmett, Idaho. Gerald was buried in Emmett Cemetery in Emmett.