Larry Leonard Gifford

Larry L. Gifford, age 73, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, January 6, 2015, at his home. He was born on August 19, 1941, in Garnett, Kansas, the son of Leon and Hazel (Huggins) Gifford. Larry grew up in Garnett, and graduated from Garnett High School in 1959. After high school, he worked for the Department of Agriculture in Topeka until entering the U.S. Navy in 1961. Following his initial training Larry was stationed in Japan, prior to serving one Tour of Duty in Vietnam from June of 1966 to July of 1967. Over the next 22 years Larry was also stationed in Germany, Alaska, Japan, and Scotland; however Fort Meade, Maryland was his home base that he would always return to. Larry retired from active duty in 1989 and then served two more years in the Naval Reserves bringing his time in the Navy to a close after 30 years, in which he worked as a Cryptologic Technician for the NSGA and retiring at the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. Larry was united in marriage to Mary Richardson on November 17, 1972, in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. This marriage was blessed with three children. In December of 1989, the family returned to Garnett. Larry began working at Longfellow School, eventually becoming Director of Maintenance for USD 365. He was still working part time for the School District. One of Larry's favorite parts of the job was maintaining the football field. He enjoyed fishing, throwing darts, bowling, photography, looking at local wildlife, watching westerns, and playing Pac-Man. Larry spent many hours on his family's genealogy. His pursuits also led him to assist many other people from abroad with their genealogy quests. He took and shared countless photos of cemetery markers for his and many other families. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Hazel Gifford. He is survived by his wife, Mary Gifford, of the home; sons, Sean Sawyer and wife Sheila of Elkton, Maryland; Andrew Gifford of Garnett; daughter, Hazel Stringham of Paola, Kansas; granddaughter Kayleigh Mills and husband Jon of Fort Campbell, Kentucky; grandson Dylan Stringham of Paola; brother Richard Gifford and wife Theresa of Garnett; sister Elnora Lybarger of Topeka, Kansas; and numerous other family and friends. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 10, 2015, at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Garnett Cemetery in Garnett, Kansas. Family will greet friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday evening at the funeral home in Garnett. Memorial contributions may be made to USD 365 Endowment Association and may be left in care of the funeral home. Condolences to the family may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .