Phillip Arthur Morford, known by most as “Phil,” pass away peacefully and surrounded by family in his Caldwell home on September 21, 2017 at the age of 87. Born on August 21, 1930 in Payette, Idaho, Phil was the youngest son of Herbert and Fannie Morford who had a total of eleven children during the Great Depression. Most of Phil’s young childhood was spent near Roswell, and he would later attend school in Parma where he would meet his lifelong love, Shirley Rohrbacher. The two were married on December 30, 1947. With his high school diploma, Phil went on to work as a lumberjack, Idaho State policeman, tax collector, Magistrate judge, security director, and most recently and proudly, as a farmer/rancher. Phil was a lifetime member of the Caldwell Elks Lodge 1448 and was named Exhaulted Ruler in 1980. Those who knew him best will remember him for his ability to recite poems from memory, sing and yodel with near perfect pitch and rhythm, his enjoyment of crossword puzzles, and his dogmatic spirit. Phil is survived by his wife Shirley Morford of Caldwell, his sons Randy Morford of Meacham OR, Sam Morford of Caldwell; daughters Debbie Hood of Caldwell, Kris Mitchell of Philomath, OR, and Janet Starr of Caldwell, as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Phil’s favorite author was Robert W. Service and “The Cremation of Sam McGee” was one of his revered poems: “There are strange things done in the midnight sun By the men who moil for gold The Arctic trails have their secret tales That would make your blood run cold; The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, But the queerest they ever did see Was the night on the marge of Lake Lebarge, I cremated Sam McGee.” Ironically, Phil routinely read the obituaries and would joke about when he would find his name in print. Today, Grandpa you are memorialized in this 7-letter word for newspaper. Hint: It starts with a “G”. The family would like to send a special “Thank You” to Heart n Home for all their help and understanding. A private celebration of life was held Saturday September 23rd at Phil and Shirley’s home in Caldwell for family members. Sympathy wishes can be sent to the family via Flahiff Chapel in Caldwell. Condolences can be given at www.flahifffuneralchapel.com Gazette Service Information