Paul Gifford passed away on September 1, 2021 at the age of 52 from complications resulting from a traumatic brain injury. In the summer of 2019, two years prior to his death, Paul was in a truck accident and severely injured his head.
The accident changed the trajectory of Paul’s life, as well as the lives of his loved ones. For two years Paul fought through near-constant pain, and he was unable to do many of the things he loved, such as playing sports. His family will always cherish that difficult, yet precious, two years of time with him. Paul was able to witness his children marry, graduate from high school, and follow in his footsteps as homebuilders. He was also able to become “Papa” to his two granddaughters, who will miss him dearly.
Paul was born in 1969 in Mesa, Arizona to Grant and Marlene Choules Gifford. Paul grew up in a close-knit family with his sisters, JeNee and Stacy, and his brothers, Dan, Chris, and Dave. Paul’s brothers, Brent and Brian passed away before his birth. As a child, he was a gentle boy that loved people. He was sensitive to the feelings of everyone around him. Even as a young child, he shared easily and was always giving a compliment and words of encouragement. He was taught to work hard, and he loved to play hard. Paul enjoyed playing sports with his brothers, and his strong athleticism showed from an early age.
Paul attended American Fork High School where he played football, tennis, basketball, and ran track. For years, Paul held the record for the 100-meter race at American Fork High School, and he often joked about even holding the state record for a grand total of one day. Paul was well known for his gentle, kind spirit, but on the field, became a different animal. Paul reveled in competition and he delighted in outsmarting, and outperforming, opposing teams. Paul continued to play football, basketball, softball, pickleball, and racquetball into his late 40’s, even winning several national championships in flag football. Paul loved playing on teams with his brothers, Chris and Dave, his nephews Nate and Danny, and his sons Levi and Wilson.
While in high school, Paul dated his sweetheart, Holly Wilson, who he married after completing his mission. Paul had a deep love for Holly and her family, her mother Denise and her six sisters and brother, Heather, Jamie, Jill, Troy, Trisha, Lori, and Lindsey. Paul and Holly attended almost every school dance together and were nearly inseparable from the time they were 15. Theirs is a true love story as they have supported each other through 31 years of both sorrows and incredible joys.
After graduating high school, Paul served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Mexico City, Mexico. Before Paul entered the Missionary Training Center, his mother had been suffering from cancer. As his mother’s cancer worsened, and while Paul was in the MTC, he was allowed to leave temporarily to share a few hours with her before she passed away. Paul’s family have often mentioned that this goodbye was one of the most heart wrenching, yet tender, moments in their lives. Paul spoke often of his mother throughout his life, and cherished her deeply. He loved 80’s rock music, but due to the influence of his mother, he was most often caught singing and whistling Tabernacle Choir music.
Holly wrote Paul throughout his entire mission. Judging by old letters the sweethearts exchanged, Paul maintained a healthy workout regimen on his mission, as evidenced by his many shirtless photos that he sent Holly. Holly was a great comfort throughout his entire life, as Holly also experienced the pain of losing a parent early in her life. Paul spoke frequently to his children about the strength that Holly gave him during his mission as he mourned his mother’s passing.
After returning from Mexico City, Paul and Holly married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 22, 1990. Their first home together was in American Fork, Utah. One year after Paul and Holly married, they had their first child, Levi. Levi struggled with colic as a newborn, and Paul and Holly spent countless long, sleepless nights rocking Levi and driving him in the car. Paul and Holly often spoke about how difficult it was to be young parents, but how closely they grew together as they cared for their son. When Paul and Holly found that they were pregnant with their second baby, Lexi, they felt worried reminiscing on their sleepless nights. Luckily for them, Lexi proved to be an angel baby.
While raising his budding young family, Paul put his entrepreneurial talents to work. Paul had special gifts of creativity, optimism, and personal skills that made him an exceptional entrepreneur. Early in life, Paul learned the entrepreneurial mind set from his father, and Paul started, bought, and sold several small businesses, including a landscaping company and a chimney cap installation company. Paul spent most of his life in Alpine, Utah, and he would often drive his kids around and point out older homes that still had the original landscaping and chimneys that he designed and installed while he was young.
Paul pursued many entrepreneurial ventures with his family, including his father, his brother Dave, and many of his brothers-in-law. For Paul, business was always about relationships and how he could best help others. Through his leadership, Paul created countless opportunities for others to succeed. Through his homebuilding ventures with Sundance Homes, Flagship Homes, and Forum Builders, Paul touched the lives of many people, from excavators and framers to bankers and mortgage lenders. Paul treated all people with kindness and love. He had a special gift for seeing the talents and potential in people, and inspiring others to see the best in themselves.
Everyone loved Paul’s sense of humor. He mastered the art of comedic timing and quick wit, and never took himself too seriously. There are countless stories of him pulling pranks in the office, reciting high school antics, and daring people to complete ridiculous challenges. When faced with difficult situations, Paul’s humor made everything seem easier.
Paul had many successes in business, and he always found a way through challenges due to his creativity and optimism. During the early days of Flagship Homes, Paul and the company found themselves in the worst economic environment for homebuilders—the Great Recession. Facing the loss of all they owned, Paul pulled together an investment deal within two days of foreclosure so that they could continue to fund their development throughout the economic downturn. In doing so, Paul helped save Flagship Homes and was able to provide housing and jobs for hundreds, if not thousands, of Utah families.
Aside from homebuilding, Paul also started ventures in high-tech plant growing technology, truck sales, senior assisted living centers, oil extraction, pest control, and garbage can cleaning. His many successes led people to believe that Paul had the “golden touch.” There was no magic secret to Paul’s successes, and certainly no golden touch, but those close to him know that through his calm, kind demeanor, Paul made you feel like “everything was going to be okay.”
Paul was humble to his core, and despite his successes, he preferred simple luxuries, such as his one or two most worn t-shirts, a bean burrito from Del Taco, and a large Mountain Dew from the Hart’s gas station.
Paul’s greatest joy in life was being a father to his four children, Levi, Lexi, Wilson, and Addi, as well as his daughter-in-law Katie and son-in-law Tate. Paul encouraged and uplifted his children, as he did everyone in his life. He took great joy in coaching Levi, Wilson, and Addi through football and basketball. And although Paul had no cheerleading experience, he was a constant support and fan to Lexi during her competitions and performances. As Paul’s children grew up, he continued to help them through injuries, heartbreaks, and dreaded high school math “packets.” Paul loved and supported his children in everything they did, and every child would say that their dad was also their best friend.
Paul had a special, tender love for the babies in his family. He doted upon his two granddaughters, Heidi and Estelle, and they loved him dearly. Although the family mourns Paul’s passing, we are happy that we took family pictures so that the granddaughters can always see how much their Papa loved them.
In addition to being a loving husband, father, brother, son, uncle, partner, and friend, Paul was also a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. Paul emulated many Christlike attributes, such as his near-endless patience. Paul was quick to forgive when arguments arose, and he brought a great peace wherever he went, which calmed the hearts of those around him. Paul was an advocate for others, interjecting a kind word on behalf of anyone he felt received undue criticism. Paul embodied Christ’s teaching of following “the spirit of the law,” and did what was right even when there was no one around to see. He maintained a true wholesomeness about him in the types of music and shows he watched. Paul truly has a pure soul that bettered the lives of all who knew him.
Because of the confidence we have in the infinite power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, Paul’s family is comforted to know that after years of battling his brain injury, he is now at peace in the arms of his Savior, and that he is being comforted in the same way that he comforted all of us. He can now reunite with his mother, brothers, and friends that passed before him. He will be with us every day, watching over and guiding us, just as he did in this life.
We love you, Dad, and we always will.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 9, 2021 at 11:00 am at the Alpine 2nd Ward Chapel, 1125 East Alpine Boulevard, Alpine, Utah. Family and friends may call on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the church and again on Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 am at the church prior to services. Interment will be at the Alpine City Cemetery. For those wishing to attend the services virtually, please use the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85351504830?pwd=K0hXOWZyVktPYWUxcDhER0ZpUUFwdz09
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