Obituary

On December 27^th at 3:47 in the morning Dan went into the arms of his waiting Lord and Savior. After five years of managing the non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma he lived with; the cancer morphed into an aggressive form of cancer, tumor lysis and took his weakened body unbelievably quickly. The family thanks the ICU unit at PeaceHealth and the UW medical center for making a valiant effort to save him. We are also thankful for the wonderful care at Cancer Care Alliance and his team at Fred Hutch.

Dan was born September 17, 1959 to Leo V. and Barbara A. Eiford. The youngest of six siblings, he grew up on the Southside of Bellingham attending Happy Valley Grade School, Fairhaven Middle School, and Sehome High School.

He met Kathy ‘Tisdale’ in 1980 and they were married within the year. While still in college, they had their first child, Janet, in 1982. Dan graduated from Western Washington University in 1983 with his degree in accounting and his CPA license. The family then moved to Seattle where he began his career at Pete, Marwick and Mitchell CPA firm. In 1986 their second child, Jacob, was born and the family made their choice to come back to Bellingham to raise their young children.

Dan joined his brother in the family construction and development business that had been started by their father and grandfather.

Dan still had the desire to create something on his own and in 1991 began his own firm of Milestone Information Solutions. He grew the company with hardwork and sacrifice. He was known for his honesty, integrity, and fairness. He was active in the business until his untimely death. The company will carry on his legacy under the continued management of his family.

With all of his achievements in his career, his pride, joy and happiness lay solely in his family. From traveling together, to attending family events or performances in his children’s lives, to watching them grow into accomplished and caring adults, he was filled with a father’s pride. Each child met and married their soulmate and nothing made him happier. Then the births of grandchildren came and the joy was multiplied. The oldest granddaughter named him Bapa 17 years ago and the name carries on. He was the best Bapa to all our four grandchildren and he loved them more than life itself.

Dan adored his big family and was blessed to have two brothers, three sisters, who along with their spouses were more than just siblings but close friends. With 12 nieces and nephews, along with their partners, and 22 great nieces and nephews, we were always surrounded by love and laughter. Dan was known by his family and friends for his deep faith, his support, and his sense of humor.

Dan is survived by his wife of 44 years, Kathy, his daughter Janet Talley and husband Darren, and their children Jada and Jackson. His son Jacob Eiford and wife Georgia, and their children Savannah and Rex. Sisters Susan Burkhalter (Steve),  Deborah Little (Gary), Shelli Brown (Bill) and brothers Greg Eiford (Tami), and Rob Eiford (Susanne).

To honor Dan please make a donation to your favorite charity, or one of his: Wounded Warriors Project, Whatcom Humane Society or the Alzheimer’s Association. Also, please hug your loved ones a little harder and a little longer.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, January 19^th at 2:00pm at Bellingham First Christian Church on Bakerview.