Frederick Gordon Gifford

 FREDERICK GORDON GIFFORD, 77, a longtime resident of Deming passed away Sunday evening, March 4, 2018.

 Visitation will be Thursday morning, March 8, 2018 at 9 o’clock at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where funeral services will begin at 10 o’clock with Bishop George Wertz presiding.  Concluding services and interment will follow at Mtn. View Cemetery.

Fred was born October 29, 1940 in Gloversville, New York to Frederick Gordon and Ruth (Johnson) Gifford.  He served his country honorably in the United States Army as a Military Police Officer and later came to Deming in 1967 from Thoreau, New Mexico.  He was a New Mexico State Police Officer and Sergeant for an accumulative total of 17 years and also served as Luna County Sheriff for 2 terms.  Fred then served as Magistrate Court Judge for 16 years from which he retired.  In his spare time Fred was a gunsmith, knife maker, and enjoyed woodworking in his shop.  Over the course of his life-time, he served the community in a variety of callings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He is remembered as a man of integrity and lived his life in that manner.  One phrase he always liked was “Speech is great, but silence is greater.”

He is survived by his wife, Wanda (Norman) Gifford of Deming; sons, Frederick Gordon Gifford (Tonya) of Cody, WY, Harold Norman Gifford of Deming, Samuel Joseph Gifford (Heidi) of Las Cruces; daughters, Deborah Marie Walk (Richard) of Sierra Vista, AZ, Teresa Anne Ortiz of Deming, Sarah Elizabeth Noesen (Mark) of Auburn, WA, Sandra Lee Vasquez (Dominic) of Rio Rancho, NM, brother David Olof Gifford (Barbara) of Town Country, MO; sisters, Gale Diana Fortson (Andrew) of Birmingham, AL, Karen Ethel McCumber (Douglas) of , Herriman UT; 24 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren as listed below.  He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters, and one granddaughter, Lucy.

Pallbearers will be grandsons Michael Lance Walk, Robert Gary Walk, Frederick “Gordon” Gifford, Brandon Wayne Gifford, Austin Lane Gifford, Garret Bradley Gifford.  Honorary Pallbearers: Nathan Quinn Gifford, Dominic Lorenzo Vasquez, Hyrum Joseph Gifford, Ian Russell Ortiz, Joshua Merrick Vasquez, Gideon Gervaise Gifford, Jarom Enoch Gifford

Grandchildren: Michael Lance Walk (Shannon), Robert Gary Walk, Victor August Walk (Brittny), Charlotte Marie Walk, Ian Russell Ortiz, Olea Shinehah Ortiz, Frederick Gordon Gifford (Malissa), Brandon Wayne Gifford, Austin Lane Gifford, Tiana Mier’elle Ballard (Nathan), Nathan Quinn Gifford, Garret Bradley Gifford (Viana), Ethan Zane Gifford, Ava Rae Noesen, Myles Gifford Noesen, Savanah Lee Vasquez, Morgan Sierra Vasquez, Dominic Lorenzo Vasquez, Joshua Merrick Vasquez, Hyrum Joseph Gifford, Gideon Gervaise Gifford, Jarom Enoch Gifford, Lexia Ruth Gifford, Matilda Mae Gifford, Dallin Luke Gifford

 Great grandchildren: Mason Walk, Maci Gifford, Evelyn Gifford, Maylee Gifford, Brody Holguin, Logan Holguin, Charlie Quinn Gifford.

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