Danny Gifford

Graveside services for Daniel Gifford will be held on Friday, October 2nd, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Keener Cemetery near Lost city, OK, with Pastor Bobby Botts officiating and Mr. Gary Clinton doing the eulogy. He will lie in state on Thursday, October 1st, 2020 at Reed-Culver Funeral home beginning at 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM. He will be laid to rest at Keener Cemetery with his family. Online condolences for his family may be left at www.reedculver.com.

Pallbearers for Danny Gifford include Shannen Lee Gifford, Roger Findahl III, Scotty Bowlin, Daniel Leroy “Bandy” Gifford, Clayton Gifford, and Logan Hubbard. His honorary pallbearers include Wahoo Gifford, Leroy Gifford, Buster Gifford, Leon Breece, Wayne Garner, Ed Deerinwater, Sid Whitekiller, and Jerry Craig.

Daniel Gifford was born on May 7th, 1948, in Tahlequah, OK, the son of Isaac and Ruby June (Shade) Gifford. He was raised in a household with his four brothers and three sisters, Marion “Bub”, Miles “Wahoo”, Leroy, Maurice “Buster”, Shirley “Sis”, Norma “Jeannie” and Georgia Mae. Growing up, he never lost the chance to be outdoors. He was happiest around his horses, and grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He loved watching his horses, raising his chickens, and anything working with his hands such as making long bows and other woodworking projects. While in high school, he spotted a young lady working at the store, and he asked Velva Lynn Hathcock out for a date. They were made man and wife on October 14th, 1966, in Prairie View, OK. Together they would raise a family of two daughters, Sonya Lynn and Deanna. He earned his living first working for a short period of time for NASA and the aeronautics division of the Department of Defense on defensive missiles. He was an avid animal lover, training and trading horse throughout his lifetime. He owned and operated his own construction business, made up of family and extended family. He was a jokester, and always had a funny comeback or a way of teasing. People naturally gathered around him, he was charismatic and loved to be in the story telling role as the center of attention. He liked people and it showed. He loved teasing Velva Lynn, the girls and all the grandbabies. It was his favorite pastime. He couldn’t wait for a holiday or an excuse to gather the family together, such as packing all the grandkids off to the creek. If his girls wanted to fix his hair and paint his nails, that was just fine by Danny. His health began to fail and Danny found it necessary to get rid of his beloved equine companions, it was so sad for Danny. He was called from his labors early on Tuesday, September 30th, 2020, with those he loved most close by his side. He was 72 years old. He will be greatly missed.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, his mother and father, Isaac and Ruby Gifford, and one brother, Marion “Bub” Gifford.

Those left to cherish his memory include his adoring wife, Velva Lynn Gifford of the home. He leaves his daughters, Sonya Lynn Brixey-Cornwell and husband Thomas R. Brixey of Tahlequah, OK, and Deanna Grossarth and husband Kent Grossarth of Tahlequah, OK. He leaves his three brothers and three sisters, Miles Gifford and wife Sharon of Lost City, Leroy Gifford and wife Trish of Woodall, OK, Maurice Gifford and wife Penny of Lost City, Shirley Pruett and husband Tommy of Tulsa, OK, Norma Findahl and husband Roger of Cleveland, OK, and Georgia Mae Bowlin and husband Terry of Hulbert, OK. He lives on in his four grandchildren, Taylor Paige O’Laughlin and companion Charles Bumgarner II, Madelyn Nicole O’Laughlin, Glennis Ann Cornwell, and Elouise Michelle Cornwell. He also leaves one great grandson, Charles Bumgarner III, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, a lot of cousins and a host of friends. A final message of love and gratitude for all the happiness each and every one of you brought to his life each and every day. He loved you all so very much.