John Dale Gifford Sr.

John Dale Gifford Sr., 66, of Terre Haute, passed away at 5:27 p.m. Saturday, July 25, 2009, at Union Hospital. He was born July 30, 1942, in Corning, N.Y., to Loyal Gifford Sr. and Clare Helton Gifford.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Stephens Gifford, whom he married July 21, 1973; one son, John D. Gifford Jr. of Terre Haute; four daughters, Tammy Cook and husband Barry of Marysville, Ohio, Patricia Ann Dunson of Colorado Springs, Colo., D. Raina Roach and husband Eric of Terre Haute, and Dorothy J. Jackson and husband Jeremy of Terre Haute; five brothers, Leroy Gifford Sr. and wife Linda of West Terre Haute, David Gifford and wife Carol of Ontario, Calif., Leslie J. Gifford Sr. and wife Debbie of Virginia, Albert Gifford of Rhode Island, and C. Phillip Gifford and wife Debi of Texas; two sisters, Dorothy M. Jarvis and husband Daniel of Indianapolis, and Vicki Bair of Bull Shoals, Ark.; nine grandchildren, Joshua M. Cook, Anthony A. Cook and wife Ranata, Chelsea N. Cook, Cassandra L. Dunson, Andrew D. Dunson, Shane A. Stephens, Carlton F. Stephens, Joseph D. Greene, and Gavin S. Jackson; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one brother, Loyal J. Gifford Jr.; and both parents.

He retired as dock supervisor at the Tribune-Star after 28 years of service, was owner/operator of Gifford and Son Lawn Service for 35 years, was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Terre Haute Moose Lodge, was a board member for more than 25 years for the American Heart Association, member of R.E.A.C.T. — where he also served as past president, member of the Communication Workers of America Union at the Tribune-Star, and was a 1963 graduate of Wiley High School.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, 2009, at Callahan-DeBaun Funeral Home, 2425 Wabash Ave., with Father Darvin Winters officiating. Entombment will be at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association or Sacred Heart Church in his memory.

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