Phyllis Tufford

Phyllis Tufford Obituary

Phyllis Jean Tufford, aka “tootie” to her father, brother and beloved husband, passed away March 15, 2018, at the age of 96.
Phyllis was born in Portland to John S. “Jack” and Florence E. Harlow January 26, 1922 and shared the same birthday as her husband of 62 years, Vern Tufford, who preceded her in death on Christmas Eve, 2007.
Phyllis grew up in N.E. Portland and graduated from Grant High School. In her early adult years she worked at the phone company and on January 3,1945, married Vern Tufford in San Francisco while he was on leave from the Navy. A year later they moved back “home” to Portland to start their family. In 1947 their son, Thomas Lee Tufford was born and three years later, a daughter, Karen Jean Tufford was born. They purchased a home in the Mt. Tabor area of S.E. Portland.
In 1956, Vern and Phyllis purchased a local moving company, “East Side Van & Storage,” and worked together to build the business into a reputable, quality, household goods moving company. In 1960 their third child was born, another daughter, Joanne Lynn “Jody” Tufford. By the 1980’s, they owned three moving companies by adding Klamath Moving & Storage in Klamath Falls and Westside Moving & Storage in S.W. Portland.

While raising their family and growing their businesses, Phyllis and Vern began traveling both for business and pleasure and in the spring, summer and fall months, enjoyed boating out on the Columbia River. As their boats grew in size, so did their desire to share their boat with customers, friends and neighbors as well as their fellow church family members from Portland Foursquare Church. While at church, Phyllis enjoyed serving for many years on the communion staff and taught pre-school Sunday school for many years. In the earlier years she played the flute in the Foursquare marching band in the Rose Parade. In the later years, Vern and Phyllis enjoyed their friends in the Foursquare “fore-runners” group and took many trips, cruises, and vacations to locations around the world.
In 2006, after a fall in her home, Phyllis was brought to Town Center Village rehabilitation center as she healed. Although Vern was only with her there for a short time before his passing, Phyllis quickly learned to love and care for the staff that was caring for her and moved into her 2nd floor home in room 228 for the remaining 11 years of her life.
Phyllis loved being “pampered” as she initially called living in an assisted living facility and quickly made dear friends of both residents and caretakers. Until her final days, she always had kind words and appreciation for the staff and management at Town Center Village.
Phyllis is survived by her two daughters, Karen and Jody; their spouses, Keith Ashcraft and Jerry Kilgore. Her son, Tom preceded her in death after a long battle with lung cancer. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Tristan Tufford, Tammy Bjur, Lexi Ashcraft, Stacy Ashcraft, Kyle McWhirter, Kelsey Bennett, Meagan Kilgore, Sean Kilgore and their spouses. Phyllis had seven great-grandchildren, Braxton and Braley Bjur, Wyatt and Poppy Galligan, Bailey and Selah McWhirter, Bodie Bennett and one more Bennett “in the oven.” Phyllis always had a special place in her heart for her brother Bob Harlow’s daughters, Linda, Jan, Patty and Sally.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes contributions to be made to the Town Center Village Assisted Living Church group, led by Seth Lewis.
Private family ceremony/entombment will be held at Phyllis’s request.

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One reply on “Phyllis Tufford”

I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my sincere condolences. May you find a measure of comfort knowing that very soon God promises to end suffering and also “death will be no more”. (Revelation 21:3,4) http://www.jw.org