Richard A. Bamford

Richard Allen "Dick" Bamford, 73, of Grants Pass died Saturday March 27, 2010, at Rogue Valley Medical Center in Medford. No services are planned at this time. A celebration of his life will be announced at a later date. He was born July 12, 1936, in Boston to Elizabeth and Leo Bamford. In his elementary school years, his family moved to Stanford, Calif. He graduated from Anaheim Union High School, where he was active in several sports. He attended Long Beach State University and Mary University, where he majored in political science and criminology. He was working on a career in Major League Baseball until he was drafted into the Army in 1959. He became a platoon leader in Military Police Detachment U.S Continental Army Command and the Presidential Honor Guard Society. He was honorably discharged on Sept. 19, 1961. On June 2, 1956, he married Shirlee Baker. They had two children and later divorced. In 1962, he went to work for the Orange County Marshal's Department, where he advanced to field deputy I and II, and also was an investigator, fugitive officer, warrants officer and an Orange County narcotics officer. Over his 17-year career, he received many letters of gratitude and commendations for his heroism and bravery. After retiring in April 1979, he moved to Grants Pass in October 1979. While living in Grants Pass, he assisted the police with drug enforcement and also served as Josephine County ordinance administrator, as well as head of the United Way. On August 19, 1995, he married Vera Lois Taibi, who survives. He enjoyed bowling, fishing, traveling and making children laugh. In addition to his wife, survivors include two daughters, Valeree and Jennifer; two stepchildren, Greg and Brenda; his mother, Elizabeth; a sister, Donna; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.