September 5, 1937 – January 12, 2016
Marlin Oliver Gifford passed away Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016, at the age of 78. He was born Sept. 5, 1937, in Hurricane, Utah, to Jesse Gifford and Mary Noma DeMille. He married Dixie Dot Flanigan Oct. 23, 1964.
Other than three years, he lived his entire life in Hurricane. He attended Hurricane High School and was a member of his high school band. After graduation, he attended Salt Lake Barber College in 1957 and practiced in Hurricane until 1961 when he was drafted into the military.
He served in the U.S. Army for two years, which included one year in Germany. Just three weeks after being discharged, he met the love of his life, Dixie. In October of the following year, they were married in the St. George temple.
Marlin was a barber by trade and practiced for 54 years, retiring in 2013. During 20 of those years, he also worked as a custodian for the LDS church. Although he enjoyed cutting men’s hair, his favorite part of his work was socializing with the guys and everyone, really. Marlin never met a person he didn’t like to talk to.
He was an active member of the LDS church and served in many capacities. However, his favorite calling was as a temple worker in the St. George temple. He worked at the front desk checking recommends for five years. He enjoyed this the most because it allowed him to interact with others continually.
Marlin had many interests. He loved to fish, camp, spend time outdoors, listen to old western music and search for firewood and Indian arrowheads. He had a fascination with Greyhound buses from his earliest youth, which stayed with him his entire life. His greatest joy, however, was spending time with his family and close friends — especially those he shared Pepsi and peanuts with.
Marlin was known for giving nicknames to everything — kids, grandkids and anything else he could think of. Everyone found his made-up words entertaining, and his children and grandchildren continue to use his unique words.
He is survived by his wife, Dixie; son, Gregory (Lori) Gifford; son-in-law, Jason Sadovich; five grandchildren, Joshua (Bridgette) Gifford, Kimberly Sadovich, Jessica (Collin) Montgomery, Cavan Gifford and Kenadee Gifford; three great-grandchildren, Jordan, Camden and Elizabeth; and sister Anna (Burton) Sant.
He is preceded in death by his parents; six siblings; his daughter, Deborah Sadovich; and grandchildren Kristin Sadovich and Jayden Gifford.
Funeral services
- Funeral services will be Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, 11 a.m,. at the Hurricane 2nd ward LDS chapel, 155 E. 1050 North, Hurricane, Utah.
- Viewings will be held Friday, Jan. 15, 5-7 p.m., at the Spilsbury Mortuary, 25 N. 2000 West, Hurricane.
- An additional viewing will be held Saturday, Jan. 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Hurricane 2nd ward chapel.
- Interment will take place in the Hurricane City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to your favorite local charity or use the funds on a dinner out with loved ones.
Friends and family are invited to sign Marlin’s guest book online.