Obituary of Norman Lee Gifford
Norman Lee Gifford, affectionately known as Norm to his friends and family, was a man whose laughter and joy echoed through the halls of life until his peaceful departure on July 19, 2025. Born on a spring day in 1935 in Saginaw, Norm decided after a grand journey of 90 years that it was time to cast his final line into the great beyond from the very place he started, his beloved hometown of Saginaw.
He was the loving husband of Barbara J. Gifford, with whom he shared a vibrant life filled with love and laughter for 40 years. Norm's legacy is carried on by his stepchildren Donnie, Scott (and wife Crystal), Wendy (alongside Rob Drager) Miles, and his daughter Ellen (and wife Deanna) Giffant. He was a patriarch in the truest sense, having been preceded in death by his sons Mark and Thomas, and now leaves behind a tapestry of life in his numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren, along with a host of nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law.
An avid outdoorsman, Norm found solace in the embrace of nature, whether it was hunting, fishing, or simply basking in the serenity of the wild. He was the king of the card table, a cribbage conqueror, and the undefeated champion of family game nights. His sense of humor was as sharp as a tack, and he could outwit us all with a joke before we even knew what hit us.
Norm was the epitome of wisdom, a man who could dispense sage advice with the same ease as he could reel in a stubborn fish. He was funny, not just in a chuckle-under-your-breath kind of way, but in a full-bellied laugh that made you forget your troubles. Above all, he was loving, a heart so full that it overflowed and touched all those around him.
In the spirit of Norm's humor, let's remember a quote from the great comedian George Burns, who once said, "Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city." Norm would have chuckled at that, knowing full well that no matter how much fun it was to poke fun at family, there was nothing he cherished more than being surrounded by his.
Norm's life was a testament to the joy that can be found in the everyday. He taught us that a day without laughter was a day wasted and that the best way to face life's challenges was with a smile. As we bid farewell to a man who was much more than the sum of his years, let us remember that the echoes of his laughter will forever resonate in the hearts of those who loved him. Norman Lee Gifford may have left the stage, but the curtain call will be met with applause for a life so beautifully lived.
In lieu of flowers or plants, please consider a donation to your favorite charity.
A celebration of life will take place at the Kris Kay Park Club House, located at 1800 S. Graham Rd, Saginaw, MI 48609 on September 13th, 2025 from 1pm – 5pm. To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com. Arrangements made with Cremation Society of Mid-Michigan.
