Judy Diane Gifford

Born Judy Green in Tulare, California on September 18, 1945 to her parents Maxine and Freeman Cleaver, she was the middle of 3 children with older brother Don (deceased) and younger sister Linda (deceased). Raised in Visalia and graduated from Mt. Whitney High School in 1963, Judy spent almost her entire life in Visalia. After briefly attending College of the Sequoias, she moved to Southern California, residing in San Pedro. Soon afterwards she married Harold Wayne Crafton, whom she had met and worked with in Cedar Grove. Together they welcomed Judy’s only child, Diane, in November 1965.

Judy and Diane returned to Visalia by 1969 to gain the support of family as Judy navigated life as a single mother. During this time, and later in her life, Judy worked as a server at Estrada’s Spanish Kitchen where staff were more like family than employer. This was a happy time for mother and daughter with days spent riding bikes, camping, picnicing and swimming the rivers of the Sierras.

In the early 70s Judy met the love of her life, Eddie Gifford. After several years of dating (she had to see how he liked camping and he had to see how she liked Vegas) they married. Soon afterwards Eddie adopted Diane as his daughter. Judy’s life during these years was richer than she could imagine with a beautiful, old home on Liberty Street. She worked a variety of jobs during this time, mainly to make sure she was always able to attend Diane’s softball games, tennis matches and 2 weeks of August camping at Cedar Grove.

Play was her priority, and she was very good at it. Some of her favorite activities included weekly poker games with the Moore crowd, fishing, camping, backpacking, skiing, finding treasures, river rafting and tennis. She and Eddie spent countless hours together at the tennis courts around town. In her lifetime she also tried hang gliding, horseriding, sea kayaking, ice skating, pickleball and finally, swimming, where she established a new fun and supportive group of friends in the decade following Eddie’s death.

Judy’s greatest treasures were her grandchildren, Elias and Elin. Despite the miles between their home in Alaska and Judy’s home in California, their love and connections were strong. Judy and Eddie made countless trips to Alaska to spend time with Elias and Elin and join them for special events and everyday fun. Judy always said she preferred quality over quantity. She made every minute count! She was there for bathtimes, concerts, ball games and ballet. She made long and lasting memories with them.

Judy left this world at the end of a wonderful summer spent in the Sierras doing the things she loved most. She camped more than 30 nights at Cedar Grove this summer. Fish were slayed, treasures found and she connected with people who were her mountain family. She watched bears, hid from lightning, hiked familiar trails and jumped off Party Rock into her favorite, sacred water: the Kings River. She lived her 100mph life...full blast, up until the very week before her passing.

Judy is survived by her daughter Diane Gifford-Antaya and son-in-law Ron Antaya of Juneau, Alaska. She leaves behind 2 grandchildren, Elias Antaya and Elin Antaya, also of Juneau. She also leaves behind innumerable friends and children who cherished her from camping, hiking, and frolicing at Cedar Grove (her camping family) for the past 62 years. Kings Canyon will not be the same without her but her love of this place has been passed on to countless individuals and several generations. Judy’s legacy and spirit will forever remain in the granite cathedrals of the Sierras and the sparkling waters of the Kings River.

Per her wishes, Judy’s ashes will be spread alongside Eddie’s at a favorite meadow in the Sierra Nevada. A Celebration of Life will be held at Miller Memorial Chapel in Visalia, California at High Noon on October 23rd.

If you would like to bring flowers Judy would prefer you pick something from your yard, put it in a jar, and keep it simple. She loved simple. She’d be pleased thinking of you outdoors and would appreciate the hand picked gift.

Judy’s love language was play. If you played (tennis, camping, swimming, poker, skiing, hiking) with her, she loved you very much. Thank you for playing and sharing her love.

Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, CA 93291