Frank M. "Butch" Gafford

Mr. Frank Merrill “Butch” Gafford of Lake City died Wednesday following an extended illness.  The son of the late Durwood Leonard Gafford, Jr. and Magdalin Jones Davis was born in Camilla, Georgia, but lived most of his life in Lake City.  He never graduated from Columbia High School as he was chosen to leave early and attend Stetson University as part of a new Engineering Program for NASA.  He eventually graduated from Florida State University then received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida.  Even though he graduated from both esteemed universities, he was a lifelong and dedicated Seminole.  Go ‘Noles!  He practiced law for over 50 years and after he retired, he served as Traffic Court Judge and as a Mediator.  For a brilliant man, he never did seem to understand what the word “retire” meant. 

Mr. Gafford was devoted to his wife, his kids and grandkids, competition sporting clays, fishing, and hunting, although not necessarily in that order when the fish were biting. He was a legendary story teller, and could be counted on to make a fish exponentially bigger with every winding of a yarn.  Frank was a member of the PC Gun Club and the Elks Lodge. He was an Associate Member of White Springs United Methodist Church. He had a quick wit, quiet wisdom and a genuine intellectual curiosity.  He could give a warm hug that would hold you for a week.  He enjoyed strange foods and good scotch, often at the same time. 

He was predeceased by his brother Durwood Leonard Gafford (Linda) of Lake City.  He is survived by his wife and sweetheart of 34 years, Julie, his daughters Nicole Gafford Murphy (Joe) of Fort White and Mandy Gafford Ley (Chuck) of Denver, Colorado, son John Michael Gafford (Gidget) of Las Vegas, Nevada, stepdaughter Wendy Bishop Vola (Bill) of Houston, Texas and stepson David Kirkland Bishop (Bobbie) of Lake City.  He dearly loved his gaggle of grandchildren, with 10 in all and two great-grands as well.  He will be missed by all, but his spirit will remain alive in the telling of bad jokes and overly exaggerated stories. 

He wasn’t much for funerals and decided he didn’t want one, so please join the family for a Celebration of Life at Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, March 11th from 2:00 to 4:00.  Bring your stories about Frank, as we would love to gather them for his grandchildren, when they are old enough to hear such things.   In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial contribution to Haven Hospice, Ducks Unlimited, or Smile Train or your favorite charity. 

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