James Byron Gifford

James Byron Gifford, 75, of Middletown died Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, RI. He was the husband of Agnes "Noni" Therese (Beattie) Gifford.Born on February 4, 1940, in St. Paul, MN, he was the son of Carolyn (Shea) Gifford of St. Paul, MN, and the late Byron Gifford.Mr. Gifford served honorably in the US Navy for 10 years, including the Vietnam War where he served on a US Naval vessel in the Mediterranean whose mission was to retrieve unexploded WWII bombs. He worked as a mason for the Newport Restoration Foundation, before starting his own masonry business. He participated on a number of masonry projects in Newport County including the old Queen Anne Square, the Fisherman's Memorial at Brenton Point State Park, and several of Doris Duke's restoration projects. A devout Christian, James was a passionate and active member of Evangelical Friends Church and building the roadside pulpit was among his many contributions to the church. In his spare time he loved to draw and paint.Besides his wife of 48 years, he is survived by his children, Nate Gifford of Middletown, RI and Dawn Graham and her husband Larry of Newport, RI, his siblings Wayne Gifford of Minnesota, Ron Gifford and his wife Terri of Minnesota and John Gifford of Canada, his grandchildren, Jessica, Jeffrey, Lisa, Joseph, and Joshua Graham and Marina-Claire Gifford and several nieces and nephews.A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2015, at 11:00am, Evangelical Friends Church, 70 Bliss Mine Road, Middletown, RI.Burial will be private.In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to Evangelical Friends Church, 70 Bliss Mine Road, Middletown, RI 02842. Cemetery Details Newport Memorial Park Vaucluse Avenue Middletown, RI, Service APR 18. 11:00 AM Evangelical Friends Church 70 Bliss Mine Road Middletown, RI, US