Richard Gifford

Lt Col Richard Wood (Dick) Gifford, USAF (Ret.) made his final flight West on November 28, 2016. His final request to each of you was to remember one of the good times spent together. A celebration of his life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Full Military Honors will conclude the service.

Dick was married to his WONDERFUL wife, Thelma Jo (White) Gifford, for 62 years. He graduated from North Hollywood High School, North Hollywood, CA; earned an AA from Los Angeles Valley Jr. College in 1951; and earned his BA from the University of Nebraska in 1966. Dick retired from the USAF in September 1972. He enlisted as an Airman Basic, went through basic training, and was lucky enough to be selected for the Aviation Cadet Program. On Aug 1, 1953, he became a Gentleman, 2nd Lt USAF pilot, and flew some of the hot ones - F-86D, RF-101, and F-4. He spent a lot of time in Air Training Command. Dick was a Vietnam veteran from 1968 -1969, and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and Air Medal.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold Wilbur and Ruth (Wood) Gifford, and his twin sister, Suzanne M. White.

Survivors include his daughters Donna J. Ploetz and husband Lt Col Charles F. Ploetz, USAF (Ret.) of San Antonio, and Barbara J. Strain and husband Stevan Strain of Parker, CO; grandsons; Lt Col Charles Gifford Ploetz, USAF, of Mountain Home AFB, ID, Benjamin C. Ploetz of Round Rock, TX, and Ian Strain of Parker, CO; five great grandchildren; in-laws Delores Brasher, Billy Ray and Caroline White, Benny and Sue White, Donald and Cindy White, Louise and Bill Ingram, Tommy and Deenie White, and Terry and Amber White; many nieces and nephews; and many, many friends - he was blessed with so many.

"I enjoyed a WONDERFUL life and am going to miss you ALL."