Rodney Paul Gifford 78, of Teton City, Idaho, passed away Tuesday, May 15, 2013 at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.


Paul was born May 28, 1934 in St. Anthony, Idaho to Rodney and Gertrude Porter Gifford. He was the first-born child and took his responsibility seriously. Two years later a brother, Dennis was born and later a sister, JoAnn.


Paul attended Marysville School and was in the last 8th Grade graduating class of the Marysville School. He then attended high school in Ashton. When he was a Sr. it became North Fremont High School and he was the first graduating class from the new high school.


After graduation Paul attended the University of Idaho at Moscow where he met Lyle Shupe who was to be his forever friend.


He returned to farm but was soon drafted into the army and spent one year in Germany.


After the army he returned to the farm. He married Irene Goodsen of Howe, Idaho. They were the parents of 4 daughters and 4 sons. Paul and Irene later divorced.


Paul, Dennis, and their father had a potato business called Rodney Gifford & Sons. They grew certified seed potatoes and operated a potato warehouse.


After Paul's retirement from farming he met his best friend, Mickie Nelson. They had many good years together camping, traveling, and putting puzzles together.


Paul loved his children and grandchildren and did everything to help them. He loved spending time with them and they enjoyed spending time with him camping and fishing and traveling through Yellowstone Park.


Paul was quite a card player and spent many hours playing cards with friends in Ashton.


Paul is survived by sons: Randy Gifford of Twin Falls, Idaho; Lynn (Angela) Gifford of St. Anthony, Charles (Martha) Weatherford of Teton, daughters: Mary (Ike) Eicholz of Blairsville, Georgia, Paula Gifford of Atlanta, Georgia ; Christy Hall of Las Vegas, Nevada; Kathy Hansen of Teton, Idaho; brother Dennis Gifford of West Valley, sister JoAnn Richards (Darrell) Anderson of Ashton; 24 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.


Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 18 at 2:30 PM at the Ashton 3rd Ward by the Cemetery. The family will visit with friends from 1:30 until time for the service. Burial will be at the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton.

Paul was an avid reader so in lieu of flowers please donate to Ashton Public Library.