Gale Robert Gifford, 65, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at Banner Hospital in Tucson, AZ.

Gale was born October 1, 1958 in Tyler, MN to Robert "Bob" and Alta (Johnson) Gifford. He grew up on the family farm in Russell, MN and graduated from Russell High School in 1977. Gale married Tammy Albright on October 2, 1982 and to this union had one daughter, Bridget. On March 1, 1993, Gale married his love, Judy Shannon and gained four children, Shawna, Nikki, Chad & Joli. Throughout his life, Gale was a man of many trades. He worked as a plumber in Tyler, MN for 8 years and soon owned and operated his own business. He later joined Schwan's Food Sales which relocated him to New Mexico in 1985. With Gale's wonderful attitude, friendliness, and hard work ethic he excelled at his door-to-door sales for the next 29 years and was absolutely adored by all his customers. For the next 10 years leading up to his passing, Gale worked in Morenci, AZ for Freeport-McMoRan as a haul truck driver in a copper mine and loved every minute of it.

Gale was a simple man; it did not take much to please him. All he ever needed was a Pepsi, a few sweet treats, his family, friends and maybe an ice-cold Bud Light Chelada paired with a good golf game-which was not always easy to come by. Gale had a passion for the game of golf. If he was not home or working, he was probably on the course with his buddies driving around in his beautiful yellow golf cart which he named Candy. Gale also loved the Minnesota Vikings. He stuck with them through thick and thin and probably lost a few bets along the way. He was also very proud of his Vikings memorabilia. Last summer he finally got to see US Bank Stadium, home of the Vikings and got to attend a Minnesota Twins game at Target Field, he was one happy Minnesota native. Anyone who ever met Gale would tell you he was so kind, helpful, and very funny. He loved to sit around and visit, watch tv shows and movies with his wife and dogs, and fly home to Minnesota to visit his daughter, granddaughter, and his siblings. Gale was also a very strong man. He was a nearly 29-year liver transplant survivor. This was a day we will always remember, and we are so thankful and blessed we got those extra years with him.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Judy, of 31 years of Deming, NM; his daughter, Bridget (Cody) Story and their daughter, Brixel of Sioux Falls, SD; Bonus children, Shawna (Dan) Bailey of Christoval, TX, Nikki (Manny) Mesa, Joli Zumwalt, and Chad Shannon, all of Deming, NM; Siblings, Bill (Betty) Gifford, Ruth (Dave) Lehnhoff, David (Becky) Gifford and Kent (Jolene) Gifford, all of Minnesota; Grandkids- Branda Acosta, Devon McCary, Bailie Barnes, Jeffery Smyer, Loni, Landri, Paden Zumwalt, Billy Weaver, and Laz Shannon; Eight great-grandkids, the crew at Freeport McMoRan and several wonderful friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Alta Gifford; a twin brother, Gary Gifford; niece and nephews, Kyle Lehnhoff, John Mark Lehnhoff, Sandy Gifford and Dustin Gifford; great-granddaughter Carsyn Weaver and best friend Dick Dorn.

To honor Gale, we will celebrate his life at his favorite place, the Rio Mimbres Golf & Country Club, 2500 E Pine St., Deming, NM on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 2pm. We invite you to wear your purple and gold! A celebration of life will take place in Russell, Minnesota on Saturday, July 13, 2024.

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