James Wendell "Windy" Gifford

James Wendell “Windy” Gifford of Bucyrus, Kansas, went to be with our Lord on Wednesday, March 20th, 2024. He was 83 years old. Windy was born on February 24th, 1941 in Viola, Arkansas to Arilla S. (Faught) and Arlin A. Gifford. He was joined by two younger brothers, Donnie G. Gifford and Jim D. Gifford, who both survive him. When he was still a child, his family relocated to Johnson County, KS where they helped run the Porter Dairy Farm throughout the 1940’s and 50’s. He attended Overland Park Grade School, Milburn Jr. High School (where he met his future wife), Shawnee Mission High School, and then graduated from Barber College. On November 26th, 1960 he married Mary Nancy Ellis and they shared more than 63 years together. In the late 1960’s they built a home in Overland Park where they lived and raised their family before moving to Bucyrus, KS in 1992. While still in high school, he and his brothers started playing as a band that later became ‘The Gifford Brothers Band.’ They traveled and played from the late 1950’s into the 1990’s featuring all of the Country and Classic Rock favorites. Aside from his passion for picking on a guitar and performing music, he loved hunting, fishing, being at Toronto Lake (KS), the dirt track races in Knoxville, IA, and especially spending time with his family. Windy worked as both a Certified Mechanic for Chevrolet at various car dealerships and as a Barber, which became his full-time career for 62 years. He owned multiple Barber Shops including ones in Overland Park, KS, Mission, KS, and Prairie Village, KS. He dedicated over 30 years to Village Hair Styling, where he still barbered. He was well-known and loved as he made friends everywhere and always remembered your name. Windy is survived by his wife, Nancy, their three children: Timothy A. Gifford (Jan Ashburn) of Louisburg, KS, Christina R. Kattau (Scott Kattau) of Louisburg, KS, and Kimberly K. Denny (David Denny) of Edgerton, KS; his eight Grandchildren: Debbi, Toby, Kelsey, Ashley, Austin, Kyle, Nancy, and Kolby; and his four Great-Grandchildren: Kayden, Kinsley, Kaprii, and Kolton. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and everyone who knew him.