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BORN
1945
DIED
2013
Kenneth Gifford Obituary
Kenneth R. Gifford, Jr., beloved husband and father, passed away at his home on February 14, 2013 after a four month battle with cancer.
Ken is survived by his wife, Sally; his eight children: Beverly (Gary) Casterline, Patrick Gifford, Richard (Valerie) Gifford, Michelle (Randy) Dumas, Dina Gifford, Kelly (John) Heckman, Shelly (Rob) Kibler and Jeff (Linda) Gifford. Ken is also survived by his father, Ken ("Senior"); his brother, Bill; his sisters, Diana Gifford-Tuggle and Charlene Alexander and his 13 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Ken was born December 30, 1945 in Klamath Falls, Oregon and moved to Shasta County in 1955. Ken was active in the 4-H program and stayed involved throughout his lifetime as a sponsor on the Shasta Livestock Auction. Ken enjoyed hunting, fishing, diving and flying.
Ken started working in the construction industry in 1963 and formed his own general contracting company, Gifford Construction, in 1972. He was a hands-on business owner obtaining contractor's licenses in six classifications. As the owner of Gifford Construction, Ken and Sally guided the business from a "mom and pop" operation to a construction company that has successfully completed some of the largest buildings in Shasta County.
Ken proudly served as the director of the Redding Bank of Commerce since 1998 and was named the Chairman of the Board in 2007. He served on the Mercy Hospital Foundation, Mercy Hospital Advisory Council, Director of the Economic Development Corporation of Shasta County, Member of the Rotary Club of Redding, Redding Chamber of Commerce & Director for the Riverview Country Club.
Throughout Ken's journey he and Sally have maintained their commitment to do the best they could for their family and their community. Ken and Sally were involved in a number of civic and charitable organizations and together received the Mayor's Philanthropic Award from the City of Redding. Ken received numerous awards for his contributions to the community, some of the most notable include: Shasta Builders Exchange Citizen of the Year, The Virgil Covington Memorial Chamber of Commerce, Redding Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, and Redding Business Man of the Year.
Rosary service will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.
Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church followed by burial services at St. Joseph Cemetery and reception following at Riverview Golf and Country Club.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth Gifford
James T. & Sunnie N.
March 14, 2013
Our deepest sympathy for your loss.
Gary Fife
March 4, 2013
So very sorry to hear about Ken's passing, I and many others will miss him. We worked on various projects in the Redding area and I will have those in my memories. Eagle Erectors, Inc
Paula Fristoe
February 21, 2013
I offer my prayers for the Gifford Family at this time of sadness, and my condolences also to Ken's employees and business contacts. He was a great example of generosity and humility.
Julie H.
February 20, 2013
So sorry for your loss. I drove by the church today not knowing why so many cars were there. I stopped my car and inquired as to who was being remembered. So many people obviously cared for this man. What a testament of a life well lived and shared with others.....an innocent bystander.
Mike & Joanne Carpenter
February 20, 2013
Ken was a truly honorable man and a true inspiration to all of us who had the privilige of working with him.
He will be sorely missed.
Our best wishes to you.
February 20, 2013
Sally and Family,
Ken will be missed so much. I have known Ken for 47 years. We went to the
same High School. He was the Best Man in my wedding in 1967. It was always a
pleasure to run in to Ken. Enjoyed seeing Ken and Sally when they would come into Jack's for dinner. I knew Ken before he became a contractor. He worked at Valley Electric with my husband at that time. My prays go out to Ken's family, and the ones that worked with Ken.
Donna McIndoo
Donna McIndoo
February 20, 2013
Sally and Family,
Our deepest sympathies.
Ken was a gentleman truly worthy of respect and admiration.
His many contributions to his industry and his community are greatly appreciated and will be long remembered.
Our best wishes to you,
Kevin & Barbara Mack
DEBBIE KLUIS
February 20, 2013
TO THE GIFFORD FAMILY,
IT'S BEEN MANY YEARS BUT MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO ALL OF YOU.
Bill and Dee Ruggirello
February 20, 2013
Our deepest sympathy to all Ken's family and friends. Calm, deliberate, honerable, generous, and professional are but a few words that come to mind. We can all learn from Ken. We will all miss that grin. May God bless you and your family.
Jerry Wagar
February 19, 2013
Ken,was one of the most honorable people I have ever met. His gift of giving will never be forgotten.
Jim and Linda Stout
February 19, 2013
Sally, and all the Gifford family...may God Bless you and comfort you in the coming days. Ken will always be in our hearts. He was a good and honorable man.
Maureen Gaynor
February 19, 2013
Ken was quietly awesome.
Redding has lost a great man. Our prayers go out to Ken's family as well as everyone at Gifford Construction. A more professional contracting firm you will not find. I am confident the lessons he taught will carry forward in our community. We can all learn from Ken Gifford. God Bless.
Jake Mangas
February 19, 2013
Dear Sally and Family,
May the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding fill your hearts in the days to come. We will miss Ken. He was a great example of a faith-filled family man. He loved his community. I'm grateful to have known him.
Patrick Phillippe
February 19, 2013
Dear Gifford Family
Our deepest hearfelt condolences to all of you. Ken will truly be missed. Ken was one of the most honest and caring person's I know. I also want to thank GIFFORD CONSTRUCTION for all of their support for us on the many construction projects that we were a part of. The construction industry has lost a GEM. Again... our heartfelt condolences for your family and you will be in our thoughts and prayers.
PHILLIPPE BROS PAINTING
Randy Peltier
February 18, 2013
To A Great Boss,
Thank you, for over 30 years of employment, and always treating me with respect and thinking of my family as part of your family.
Sally and family our thoughts are with you, each and every minute of the day. Love Randy, Jody & Keith
Janice and Wendi Opsahl
February 18, 2013
our prayers are for the gifford family today, what a wonderful family to have the honor of knowing. We wish for all of you the very best during this trying time.
Mike Cole
February 18, 2013
All of us here at Builders Door & Window are very sorry to hear of Ken's passing. We have worked with Gifford Construction for many years and were always honored to be a part of the team.
February 18, 2013
The most decent, honest and professional contractor, I ever worked with. He elevated the entire profession, and will be sorely missed.
Kirsten Plate, THERMO DYNAMICS
Ken and Edna Williams (OSPREY)
February 17, 2013
So Sorry to hear of his passing. Shared many happy times at the coast fishing.
Our deepest sympathy.
Dennis Mazorra
February 17, 2013
ken, was one of the most honorable men that I had the pleasure to get to know. He truly lived his live by example. Will miss his smile, when i told him about my fish stories from Trinadad. We will miss him.
February 17, 2013
We were so saddened to here of ken 's passing. We was Harry's friend for 40 years. He will be greatly missed. Our prayers with the whole family. Harry & Marilyn Purcelli
Sue Gray (Schwalbe)
February 16, 2013
So sorry to hear of Ken's passing! My family houseboated and were friends with the Giffords when my child, Peter was very young. The kids were always so fun. They taught him how to jump off the top of a houseboat! Wonderful memories! I send prayers to the family.
February 16, 2013
One of the nicest & honorable me I have ever known. Ken, we will miss you.
Dick Green
Greg and Geline Kockrow
February 16, 2013
Our deepest sympathy to all of Ken's family. God bless you.
Steve & Christine Stone
February 16, 2013
To Sally & the entire Gifford Family:
We send our deepest condolences. May God bless all of you in this time of sorrow. What a great man.
Russ Wenham
February 16, 2013
A good man that will be greatly missed by his family, friends and community. I pray for an extra measure of comfort and blessings for family members.
Tom and Denise Steep
February 16, 2013
So sorry for your loss. It was an honor to have known Ken. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.
February 16, 2013
Our sympathy goes out to all of your family, friends, and the community.
Nancy Strawn Albers
Rick, Sandy and Sherry Faller
February 16, 2013
On behalf of our family we wish to extend our most sincere condolences to all the Gifford family and friends. It is our hope that Ken's family can take comfort in knowing that they were truly blessed with his love and devotion. We all must now take comfort in the many wonderful memories experienced with Ken and the Gifford family. Rest in Peace Ken.
Cara Murray
February 16, 2013
My prayers for strength to you. Redding was blessed to have Ken in our community. May your love and memories for him sustain you through these hard times. God Bless.
Pat Kight
February 16, 2013
A man who gave everything and asked nothing in return. He meant so much to so many. He will be missed by those who knew him. I am grateful for his friendship.
Charlene Alexander
February 16, 2013
Ken was a wonderful brother..We cut wood with a cross-cut saw when we were just kids, killed rattlers by the out house, and milked the cow and sang to her to help her let her milk down,and teased me about my 'cinnamon' chili' when we were in 4-h,what a guy.
Will miss you Kenny.
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