Richard "Dick" B. Gifford, 73, of Hillsboro, died on Friday, July 17, 2019, at Hillsboro Area Hospital.
Visitation will be held Friday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Hillsboro Free Methodist Church. Funeral services will follow, beginning at 12 p.m. at the church with the Rev. Randy Sands officiating. Burial will be held in Oak Grove Cemetery in Hillsboro with full military rites conducted by VFW #1306 and Irving American Legion Post 425. Hough Funeral Home in Hillsboro is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Gifford was born May 6, 1946, in Hillsboro, to William and Roslind (Everett) Gifford. He married Peggy Spears, and she survives.
He attended Burbank Grade School and graduated from Hillsboro High School.
Mr. Gifford served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War era, from 1966 to 1968. He was a part of the 60th combat engineer's brigade as a tunnel rat and communication center specialist under the direct order of General Westmoreland.
During his civil career, he worked as a laborer and maintenance worker. He worked at Fuller Brothers, Storms Lumber in Nokomis, Don Cranfills Shooting Preserve for 40 years training bird dogs, and served as head of maintenance at Walmart.
He was also a member of the Hillsboro Free Methodist Church and the Kershaw-Harmer VFW #1306, where he was a past officer and was on the burial detail.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Gifford is survived by five children, Gabriella Gifford, Alora Chandler, Angelica Trader, Jaimann Ellis and Justin Deal; ten grandchildren, Seryn, Logan, Jadyn, Zian, Aliyah, Knisley, Emersyn, Brecken, Jovee and Ezra; two brothers, William "Bill" Gifford and Fred Gifford; and one sister, Julie Gifford.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers, Roland, Jesse and Jerry Gifford.
Online condolences to the family may be left at www.houghfuneralhome.com.
