Max Giffin, 86

GIFFIN, Kelman Maxwell “Max”, Jr.

1935 – 2021

Max passed away peacefully in the company of family on Thursday, April 15, 2021, in Mesa, Ariz. He was born to Kelman Maxwell Giffin, Sr. and Doris Irene Heffner Giffin in Grand Junction, Colo., where he grew up and graduated from High School.

As a young man, he worked briefly and proudly as a lineman for Mountain Bell Telephone Company until it was discovered that he was color blind and therefore, regretfully, could not do the job.

He joined the Army, serving three years in Alaska at which time he met his first wife, Leah, via pen pal correspondence. Upon his discharge, they married, moved to Denver, Colo., and had two children before they divorced after ten years. During that time, he worked for Denver Burglar Alarm Company while attending Colorado State University. Upon graduation he got a job in the accounting department of Frontier Airlines, where he worked for many years, and enjoyed the perks of traveling, which were extended to family members.

He happily embraced and converted to Catholicism as a result of his brief second marriage to Nancy Beyer.

In the late 1970’s he moved his third wife, Jan, and family to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where he worked in the County Assessor’s Office before becoming a self-employed real estate appraiser. During that time, he also worked as a tax preparer and accepted a position as Interim Director for Hospice of North Idaho.

Max was a big football fan, holding season tickets to the Denver Broncos for a time. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, traveling, cooking and social gatherings with friends and family. He belonged to many clubs and civic associations including The Knights of Columbus. For many years he served as an enthusiastic volunteer photographer and all-around assistant for his dear friend, Bart Templeman’s world-renown Iron Wood Thrower Development Camp from its inception.

After divorcing Jan and remodeling his Coeur d’Alene home, he sold it and moved back to Grand Junction to care for his elderly parents. At a school reunion he reconnected with Mary Rene Hull. When he went to visit her at her home in Ariz., a fortuitous car accident led to a prolonged stay, which, much to his surprise, resulted in marriage with the love of his life. Mary’s family members affectionately joke that Max was kidnapped by her, but no matter how it happened, it was clearly a mutually blessed encounter.

Max was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Darlene Gardner, and brother-in-law, Arden Cheeseman.

He is survived by his sister, Claudia and her family, beloved wife, Mary, children and step children include: Rhea Giffin (Jim Mathey), Tim Giffin (Nancy Hagen), Eric (Beverly) Royer, David (Patti Jo) Royer, Bruce (Peggy) Royer, Curtis (DeeAnn) Royer, Nancy (Eric) Platt, Julie Meeks, Dean Beyer, Steve Beyer, Julie Beyer, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as dear nieces and nephews and their families, including Rhonda VanDruff and Gary Cheeseman.

The family wishes to thank Premier Hospice and Home Health of AZ, and encourages donations in his name to them, and/or Hospice of North Idaho.

Max’s wish was to donate his body to science via Science Care Inc. His final resting place will be at Grand Junction Memorial Gardens in Grand Junction, Colo. A celebration of Max’s life is planned for a later date to be determined. Please visit online Guestbook: Legacy.com/obituaries/gjsentinel