GIFFORD, THOMAS "TOM"
January 9, 1962 to April 20, 2009
Tom passed away after a sudden and brief illness. After graduating from Mead HS, Tom moved to Los Angeles, CA. Tom began as a serviceman for Abbey Rentals. He taught himself Spanish and worked his way up to Vice President.
Tom started his own business in 2006 and it grew quickly. One of his feats was technical support of the first "Tour of California" (California's version of the "Tour de France"). This involved 16 international and domestic bicycle teams racing over 600 miles through California. At the time of Tom's passing he was the Director of Purchasing for Classic Party Rentals.
Tom is preceded in death by both parents, Peter and Orelene Gifford, brother, Charles Gifford and sister, Larita Johnson. Tom is survived by his sons, Burgess and Peter, former wife Andrea; brothers Murray Anderson, Mike and Jim Gifford, and Mark Johnson; sisters Juanita Casper, Lydia Ross, Pam Brownell, Heather Underwood and Tonja Peters; Nieces, nephews and cousins too numerous to count.
A Remembrance Gathering to honor Tom will be held Saturday, June 6th @ 1pm at Mount Spokane Church, 6311 East Mount Spokane Park Drive, Mead, WA 99021.
Published: Spokesman-Review, 6/3/2009
Julie Fender (Shepard-Hall)
When I saw Tom's obit, his smile was the first thing that drew my attention to his picture. His smile is what I remember most. He was always smiling. Tom always had a mischevious side to him. We've lost a special person way too soon.Mark Johnson
Tom was my brother. Our lives moved in different directions after we left Spokane: he went to California, and I went to Florida. His sudden and unexpected passing filled me with the anguish of all the days that had been lost and could now never be regained, the memories we had shared, had not taken the time to share, and that we would not have the opportunity to share in the future. His death brought home to me with great power just how precarious and precious our days are. It filled me with shame and humility because in the end there was nothing I could do despite my training to help him, and because really with a few different decisions he could still be here with us. I love him, my family loves him, and my children will always remember him as the smiling uncle having too much fun playing with the kids to spend time with the adults. He spoke a lot less than I do, but he lived well.Angela Gratto ((Ross) Higgs)
Tom was always so kind. So often rides on the bus were lonely times for me but Tom always had a smile and a kind word. I remember his sense of humor and seemingly free spirit. My condolences to his family especially to the two I knew most, Mark and Tonya.