Gregg Dufford

Gregg Dufford, 56, died July 10, 2011, at Mat-Su Regional Hospital.

A celebration of life is at 3 p.m., Saturday at 16005 E. Our Road, Palmer.

He was born Nov. 2, 1954, in Larned, Kan., to Leona and William Dufford.

The eighth of 11 children, he spent his early years in Kansas. In 1959, his mother drove Gregg and six siblings up the Alaska Highway to join his father in Anchorage. When he was 17, he moved to Homestead, Fla., to live and work with his brother, Bill. There he met his future wife, Debra Blevins, and in 1975 their son Daniel was born. They moved to Garden City, Kan., in 1976, where he drove trucks. Their son Jason was born there in 1978. In 1980, they moved to Anchorage and the Butte area in 1989.

Part of the Dufford family of truckers, Gregg drove trucks all over the state and was often with his brothers traveling the Haul Road to the North Slope. His name is carved in a post at the Cold Foot truck stop. He trucked for Big State Motor Freight, Pacific Western, Vanguard, etc. He later worked as an equipment mechanic on the North Slope for Peak Oil Co.

Always cheerful, he touched many people with his generosity, knowledge and character, and was much loved. Gregg would give anyone a helping hand, and then a second. He had a heart of gold and the family always heard Gregg was the nicest person anyone knew, and everyone who met him has amazing “Gregg stories.” He loved huge bonfires, fireworks and maxing out any piece of equipment, tool or vehicle, big or small.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Randy; and nephews, Dwayne Dufford and Daniel Mellick.

Surviving are his sons, Daniel and Jason (Tisha); former wife Debra; grandchildren, Hayleigh, Jade, Danny, Chance, Keith, Aiden and Justus; brothers, William, Richard (Gloria) and Steve (Tinda); sisters, Elnetta June (Tin) Harrell, Joan (Skip), Charlotte (Jerre) Dufford, Cynthia Worden, Kathy (Jeff) Conn and Kimberly (Tom) Dyer; niece and nephews in Alaska, Lynette Jackson, Richard, Scott, Cord and Erik Dufford; and numerous nieces and nephews stateside.

Valley Funeral Home and Crematory cared for the family.