ZANEVILLE-Dr. Gordon E. Gifford, 77, of Sunny View Nursing Home, Maple Avenue, died Wednesday Oct. 3,2001, at 10:15 p.m. at Sunny View Nursing Home.

Born Oct. 31, 1923, in Middletown, Dr. Gifford had been a resident of Zanesville since his parents Carl E. and Ethel M. Gifford moved here in 1928. Dr. Gifford graduated from Lash High School in 1941 where he played varsity basketball. He graduated from Purdue University in 1944 and the Ohio State University Medical School in 1948.

In 1948, he was commissioned in the U.S. Army as a First Lieutenant. Dr. Gifford took his internship at Brooke Army Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, and received specialized training in dermatology for three years at Brooke and Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. He then served in the Army in Germany for two years as Chief of Dermatology at 2nd General Hospital in Landstuhl, Germany. He was separated from the Army with the rank of Major after seven years.

Dr. Gifford started his practice in Zanesville in March 1956, continuing until his stroke on Dec. 30, 1999. During his years in Zanesville, Dr. Gifford was a member of the Rotary, serving as its president in 1966; served on Zanesville City Council from 1957 to until 1965, the past four years as Mayor and was the Ohio Junior Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Young Man in 1960. Dr. Gifford served as a consultant to the Veterans Hospital in Dayton and taught dermatology to senior medical students at Ohio State University.

While serving on City Council and as Mayor, Dr. Gifford was instrumental in the city’s obtaining the land of Ohio University- Zanesville. He later served as a member of the Regional Coordinating Council for Ohio University-Zanesville for 1968 to 1973. Dr. Gifford served as the Health Commissioner for Zanesville and Muskingum County from 1970 to 1981.

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Dr. Gifford was an avid sports enthusiast, beginning with his basketball and tennis days at Lash High School. His love of sports continued as a varsity tennis team member for Purdue and Ohio State University with his participation in volleyball, ping pong, and squash while in the service. He was the City Tennis Champion for many years running and an avid golfer who achieved a rare “double eagle” on the 15th hole at Zanesville Country Club. He is also remembered for the many hands of gin that he played over the years and the humor that accompanied those games.

Dr. Gifford was considered an expert on Howard Chandler Christie and displayed his collection of prints in his medical office. Dr. Gifford and his wife, Ginny, enjoyed traveling around the globe. He also collected Weller and Roseville pottery and art glass.

Dr. Gifford married the former Virginia Wagner of Greenville, in April of 1948. Mrs. Gifford died on Aug. 21, 2001. The couple had three children: Gordon E. Gifford, Jr. of Zanesville, Holly E. Gifford of Alexandria, Va., and Steven D. (Nadine) Gifford of Zanesville. In addition, they had four grandchildren: Gordon E. Gifford III, Elizabeth Gifford and Katherine Gifford of Zanesville and Reid N. Gifford of Westerville.

A remembrance open house was held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Zanesville Country Club. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that the contributions be made to the Gordon E. and Virginia W. Gifford Charitable Fund through the Muskingum County Community Foundation, 534 Putnam Avenue, Zanesville, OH 43701. The fund was established to continue Dr. Gifford’s charitable work with the Muskingum County Health Department.

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