Arthur G. Gifford

Gifford, Arthur Grant, 83, of Tampa died Wednesday, May 20,2015. He was born October 20, 1931, in Anderson, S. Carolina to Asa Blake and Matilda Mae (Spivey) Gifford. He joined the Army in 1950 and served in Washington, California, France, S. Korea and Viet Nam where he was wounded in 1970 for which he received the Purple Heart Medal. He married Doris Lee Davis in Tacoma, Washington while stationed at Lewis Army Air Base. While stationed in California he taught at Brown Military Academy and The Claremont Colleges. He retired from the Army after 20 years of honorable service and his first civilian job was at the University of Tampa. He also worked at Pyramid Paper Co., Western Contracting Co., Misener Industries, and Sparkle Parts Industries. He retired in 1993 and enjoyed golfing with good friends, reading, music, collecting American eagles, watching movies and "American Pickers", and history, especially the Civil War. He is survived by son, Tom Gifford; daughter, Jeannette Groves; son-in-law, Ted Groves; grandsons, Randall (Susie) Gifford and Matthew Gifford; great-grandchildren, Natalie and Garrett Gifford; brother, Curtis White (Carol) and many nieces and nephews; special friend, Sonya Danile; former wife, Bette Rigby Gifford; step-son, Jeff Rigby; step-daughter, Leslie Gaye Flood; and many good friends in Michigan including Ken and Marlyne Groves. There will be no funeral per Dad’s wishes. He will be interred at Bay Pines National Cemetery. He was pre-deceased by his wife, Doris; father, Blake; mother, Matilda; step-father, Daniel White; sister, June Marinoff; step-son, Richard Rigby and good friend, David Huff. If you would like to make a donation in Dad’s memory, one of his favorite charities was Wounded Warriors. Dad was a true patriot and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.