DR. MATTHEW W. GIFFORD, DDS CLASS OF 1994
Dr. Matthew Wilford Gifford of Anacortes, Wash., died on Aug. 13, 2022 while summiting Mount Pugh in his beloved North Cascades. He was 56.
He was born on Oct. 1, 1965 in Page, Ariz., to Warner and Adrienne Gifford. He graduated from the School of Dentistry following a two-year mission for the LDS Church in South Africa. He had six children with his former spouse, Terry, whom he married in 1988.
Dr. Gifford practiced dentistry in Sedro-Woolley, Wash., before relocating to Anacortes, Wash., in 2017. He spent countless hours serving in his local church and volunteering dental services to those in need, locally and abroad. He was dedicated to his vocation and taught his children the principle of hard work.
He worked hard and played harder. His favorite times were spent hiking with his family and friends or enjoying a good barbecue and playing matrix Frisbee with his children. He was a passionate and skilled woodworker and homebuilder and was always working on something. He had a lifelong love of learning and was always ready to talk about the latest history or science book he was reading.
Dr. Gifford is survived by his children, Derrill (Caitlin), Addy (Kyle Nydegger), Vaughn, Kjaisa (partner Brandon Dreese) Aliece, and Jens; granddaughter Evangeline Gifford; and siblings Gregory, Patrice (Gregory Young), Jeffery (Alice), Julie (Brad Dunn), Jennifer (Steve Dame), and Kristen (Chris Powel). He was preceded in death by his parents. (Skagit Valley Herald)