Memorial service for Glenwood Osage Gifford, 76, of Fairview, Oklahoma, will be 1:30 pm, Monday, March 15, 2021 at the Fairview First United Methodist Church with burial in the Fairview, Cemetery.  Arrangements by Fairview Funeral Home Inc.

Glenwood Osage Gifford was born in Alva, Oklahoma on October 17, 1944 to Glenwood Olney and Elsie Mae (Taylor) Gifford and passed away on February 12, 2021 at the Fairview Fellowship Home in Fairview, Oklahoma.

Osage started school at Orienta and graduated from Fairview High School in 1962.  After graduation, he joined the United States Army Reserves on October 26, 1962 and was honorably discharged May 31, 1970 with the rank of Specialist SP5.

Osage met the love of his life, Catherine (Cathy) Marie Smith when they attended church together as small children.  Cathy moved away with her family but Osage and Cathy reconnected in 1964.  They were married on November 19, 1966.

Osage worked at the Orienta Coop for many years helping his dad farm and ranch on the side.  In 1975 after the death of his father and grandfather, Osage and Cathy took over the day-to-day operation of both farms.  His father's farm was in Orienta and his grandparents was in Cheyenne Valley plus others on the side.

He became a reserve Sheriff Deputy for Major County in 1979, and soon became a Deputy Sheriff and then served as Chief Dispatcher and Jailer.  He served his community and county in this capacity for 26 years and retired in 2005.  Osage and Cathy never had children but mentored many.

Osage served the Lord all his life and handled everything life threw at him, all the time setting a great example of how a Christian man should live and love.  He has stayed the course, fought the good fight and won the race.

Osage is survived by his wife Cathy Gifford, one sister Glenda and her husband Gary Brinson, one brother Ed Gifford all of Fairview, many nephews, nieces, great nephews and nieces and great great nephews and nieces, also others that he mentored as adopted children and grandchildren, Chris, Ami, Isaiah Schulz-Mason and Mickey, Heather, Serenity, Baliee, Kalia Masters, plus a host of family and friends.

He was preceded in death by two babies that he and Cathy lost, grandparents, Edward Charles and Chole Rebbeca Gifford, Abe and Ethel Taylor, his parents, Glenwood Olney and Elsie Mae (Taylor) Gifford, and two infant twin brothers, Jerry and Joseph Gifford.

Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to the charity of your choice.