Lewis 'Randy' Tifft, 68

Lewis “Randy” Tifft, 68, from Priest River, Idaho, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

An informal memorial gathering will be held from 12-2-2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010, at the Frank Chapin Senior Citizen Center on the corner of Fourth and Jackson in Priest River.

Randy was born on June 25, 1941, in Sandpoint, Idaho, to Arthur and Carrie Tifft. He graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1960, while working parttime at the Pack River Mill.

Randy married Linda Bullock on Feb. 8, 1961, in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Randy enlisted in the United States Air Force, and he worked as a jet engine mechanic.  His service took the family all over the world, including the Azores off the coast of Portugal. He was medically discharged after nearly seven years of service.

The family returned to Sandpoint and Randy worked as a fork lift operator for the Pack River Lumber Company. In 1990 he moved to Priest River and continued to work in the lumber mills until retiring in 2009.

Randy is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, having coffee with his friends, and taking drives in the car.

He is survived by two daughters, Kathee Tifft of Clarkston, Wash., and Janet (Jeff) Beyer of Sandpoint; two sons, Ken (Micha) Tifft of Spirit Lake, Idaho, and John Tifft of Priest River; nine grandchildren, Brittany, Katie, Karl, Thomas, Johnny, Michael, Rebecca, Carrie Ann, and Russell; and a sister, Shirley Clark of Spokane.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Linda Tifft; three brothers, Frank, Ed, and Jake; a sister, Gay Robertson; and daughter, Betty Gay Tifft.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Randy’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.