Roger C. Gifford

Roger was born in St. Joseph, Missouri on March 12, 1921, and spent his early years on the family farm in Forest City, Missouri. He attended a one-room school house for two years in Missouri. His family moved to Colorado when farming continued to be bad. One year, the floods claimed the crop and the next year the sun. A good year would produce a bumper crop, but then the prices were down. In Denver, he attended Columbine Grade School, Cole Jr. High School and graduated from East High School in 1939. Roger graduated from Denver University in 1948, majoring in accounting. He joined the US Coast Guard in 1942 and was stationed in California, Washington and Astoria, Oregon as a Pharmacist Mate. Roger met Lois during their dating years at dances in the old Elitch's Trocadero and Lakeside's ballroom. They were married in Astoria, Oregon in 1943. Roger worked for many businesses until his retirement in 1987-1988, including the old Denver National Bank (10 years), Ready Mixed Concrete & Construction business (20 years), National Association of Credit Management as Executive VP and President until retirement (20 years), Executive Vice President for Mountain/Plains Meat Association (20 years), and was the Director of the United Bank of Lakewood (20 years). Roger handled many cases as Receiver and Trustee for the US Bankruptcy Court. He also was an active member of several community and professional organizations, including life memberships with Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants, and American Society of Association Executives; served as Past President of the Hemophilia Foundation, the Presidents' Round Table and the Mile-Hi Optimist groups; and past Lt. Governor of the Colorado/Wyoming District Optimists. After his retirement, Roger and Lois moved into a townhome on the Pinehurst Country Club golf course, where he was a member. He also belonged to the Lakewood United Church of Christ. In retirement, Roger organized a national retired managers group of the National Association of Credit Management, where annual reunions are held each year. In his spare time, Roger enjoyed activities such as playing golf, fishing, reading, playing bridge and traveling. Roger was preceded in death by his wife, Lois Jean Gifford, in 2012; and grandson, Andrew Paulson, in 2011. He is survived by his children, Claudia (Gary) Paulson and Brad Gifford; 3 grandchildren, Grant Paulson, Stacie (Craig) Hawkins, and Lindsey (Drew) Birthisel; and 5 great grandchildren, Corbyn,, Rachael, Anna, Olivia, and Khloe. Memorial Services in his honor will be Friday, June 6, 2014, at 10:30 AM, at Lakewood United Church of Christ, 100 Carr Street, Lakewood, Colorado 80226. Donations may be made in his name to the church at the above address, or to the Colorado Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, 455 Sherman St #500, Denver, Colorado 80203, www.alz.org/co. Please share your memories of Roger and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook below.