Archie A. Kifer, 73, of Apopka, Florida passed away on Wednesday, June 22, 2022.
He was born in Evansville, Indiana, on August 9, 1948, to Arkel A. Kifer, Sr and Bernice (Oestreicher) Kifer.
Archie graduated from Apopka High School in 1966, and he married his wife of 52 years, Gail Porch on April 18, 1970 in Orlando.
After high school, Archie was drawn to the construction industry. He built apartment complexes in Orlando and Tampa as well as homes in the well-known Longwood community, The Springs. He founded Kifer Enterprises in 1987, which focused solely on commercial greenhouse construction. Archie enjoyed being self-employed and was known as one of the best greenhouse builders around. His parents were also in the nursery business.
Archie moved to Lockhart as a young boy and moved to Oviedo in the mid-70s. He spent two years (1979-1981) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, working for the King Faisal Specialist Hospital. He served 3 years the Florida Army National Guard, with an additional 3 years of service in the United States Army Reserve. He moved back to Apopka in the mid-80s where he enjoyed the rest of his life.
Hunting, fishing, camping, and traveling to U.S. National Parks were some of the hobbies he enjoyed. He also enjoyed spending time with grandkids, country music and fast cars – everything from drag racing to NASCAR, to hot rods. He was proud to be one of the first Central Florida owners of a Dodge Challanger SRT Hellcat, which he both drove fast and cared for like a baby.
Family was important to Archie. He was proud of his three daughters who all graduated from his Alma Mater, Apopka High School, and he hand-built four of his own homes.
Archie’s survivors are his wife, Gail, who lives in Apopka, their daughter, Lori Kifer Johnson and her husband Jason and their daughter Molly Kate Johnson who reside in Winter Park; his daughter Carie Kifer Dahin and her husband Scott, and their children Hunter and Harper Dahin, who resides in Altamonte Springs. His siblings include Bruce Kifer, who resides in Winter Park, Jacki Kifer, who resides in Orlando and Pat Hollon, who resides in Oviedo.
He is preceded in death by his father Arkel Kifer (September 29, 1905- April 02, 1995), mother Bernice Kifer (September 09, 1923- June 19, 1998), his brother John Enlow (October 16, 1943- March 19, 2010) and his daughter Kristi Loraine Kifer (September 12, 1980- September 26, 2018).
The celebration of Archie’s life will be on Saturday, July 09, 2022 at 2:00PM with a fellowship to follow at Loomis Funeral Home, 420 West Main Street, Apopka, Florida 32712. All are welcome to come and help remember Archie. For anyone who like to say a few words, the program will include time for individuals to share their memories.
Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be given to the National Park Foundation, a 501© organization with tax identification number 52-1086761.