Published: February 27, 2002
2002- Magic Valley Newspapers.
Section B Page 02
Twin Falls Photo

Dr. V. V. Telford Dr. V. V. Telford of Twin Falls, Idaho died Saturday, February 23, 2002, at Magic Valley Regional Medical Center in Twin Falls of cancer. Virgil requested cremation and a Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2002 at 2:30 p.m. at Reynolds Funeral Chapel, 2466 Addison Avenue East, Twin Falls, with Pastor Brian Thom officiating. Masonic Rites by area masons will take place. The family suggests memorials to the Southern Idaho Learning Center Virgil Telford Memorial Fund in Twin Falls, Idaho or the Shriner's Crippled Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah. Contributions may be left with Reynolds Chapel staff at the services or mailed to Reynolds Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 1142, Twin Falls, ID 83303. Virgil Telford was born December 11, 1920, to George Victor Telford and Anna Jane Sant Telford in a little green house in Grace, Idaho. Dr. Hubbard attended his home birth and home delivery was usual in those days. He was welcomed into the world by his sister, Venice Telford, who was 3 years older, and a world smarter, with great wit sometimes a trifle acid and almost always risque along with several cousins, and 18 aunts and uncles. During his early years he moved to Twin Falls in 1927. His father opened the first Frigidaire and Delco Light Agency in Twin Falls. He attended Washington School, Twin Falls Junior High School, and graduated from Twin Falls High School. He also completed a year of post-graduate at Twin Falls High School. He went to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah in 1940 for undergraduate degrees in bacteriology and chemistry, graduating in 1944. He attended Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois from 1946 to March 1950 to get his medical degree. He taught bacteriology to nurse's classes at Northwestern while studying for his medical degree. His internship was completed at Denver General Hospital and he completed a one-year residency for his surgical degree at Thomas D. Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah. Virgil served in the U.S. Navy for 2 years and taught corps school at Farragut, Idaho and served as a bacteriologist in Naval hospitals in Seaside, Oregon and Seattle, Washington. Virgil practiced in Twin Falls from 1952 through 1985 as a general practitioner. During this time he delivered 3,500 babies and performed most of the surgeries required by his patients. Dr. Telford truly cared for and loved his patients. He married Iola Adams in 1940 and they were divorced in 1957. Four children were born to this union: Paula, Virgil, Sheila, and George Steven. He married Virginia Taylor Savage in 1959 and they divorced in 1976. During this marriage he became stepfather to Debbie, Shari, Bridgett and Mark and he and Virginia had one son, Todd Taylor Telford. He married Emma Stover Johnson in 1980 and became stepfather to Kelli and Lori. He was blessed with 25 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren and 15 step-grandchildren and 5 step-great-grandchildren. Virgil also loved to fish with his best companions, brother-in-law Melvin Berrett and Bob Taylor. He also loved to read and enjoyed taking care of flowers in his yard. He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America during his early years and a member of the Exchange Club in Twin Falls for several years. He also served as Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for Twin Falls Housing Authority; and Medical Consultant for the Vocational Rehabilitation's Twin Falls Office. During his later years he was a member of Free Masons including York and Scottish Rites, and Shriners. He served on Masonic committees for Twin Falls Lodges 45 and 94 including the Bowers Trust which confers college tuitions; Southern Idaho Scottish Rite Learning Center; referred children to Shriners Hospital for orthopedic or burns management; referred needy people needing eye surgery to Knights Templar York Rite. Virgil is survived by his wife of 21 years, Emma Telford; children, Paula David Hansen, Meridian, Idaho; Virgil Billie Telford, Springville, Utah; Todd Angie Telford, Hailey, Idaho; step-children, Debbie Greg McDonald, Boise, ID.; Shari Robert Michaud, Hailey, ID., Bridgett Barry Walters, Parker, CO; Mark Sue Savage, Boise, ID; Kelli Greg Ross, Walnut Creek, CA; and Lori Maxfield, Twin Falls, ID; along with 25 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren and 15 step-grandchildren and 5 step-great-grandchildren. His parents, his son, George Steven Nancy Telford and Daughter Sheila Brad Herbst and his sister, Venice Barrett and her husband Mel Barrett, preceded him in death. Virgil lived a life of unselfishness and service to others and was nobly crowned by the beauty of his last days when his cheerfulness, his beautiful love of God and Man, his uncomplaining patience made evident to all who knew him, the delightful freshness and joy of his spirit.