John J. Stafford

John J. Stafford, age 86, of Versailles, passed away Saturday morning, August 6, 2011, at his home. He was born April 5, 1925, in Morgan County, Missouri, the son of the late William H. and Minnie R. Swearingen Stafford. On October 6, 1950, in Folkston, Georgia, he was united in marriage to Joyce L. Breen, who survives of the home. At the young age of 14, he spent his summers working away from home. At 16, he enlisted in CCC Company 1756 in Kaiser, Missouri. He was discharged in March of 1942, and then worked in a concrete block factory in Clay Center, Kansas. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy in St. Louis, Missouri. He served in WWII, the Korean Conflict, and Vietnam. In August of 1972, he retired from the Navy with the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer. He attended a tech school for four years, was a substitute mail carrier, a real estate broker for eight years, and obtained Coast Guard License Captain for 100 ton vessels. John was a member of the Fleet Reserve Association, the VFW Post 5178 in Gravois Mills, the Disabled Veterans Association, the Retired Enlisted Association, the National Association for Uniformed Services, the American Military Society, the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society, the Second Amendment Task Force, the National Association Fleet Tug Sailors, the Naval Memorial, Ronald Reagan Ranch and Library, the Armed Forces Top Enlisted Association, the USS Missouri Memorial, the American Legion Post 104 in Versailles, the NRA, and was a St. Jude Partner in Hope. John was a born again Christian, and was a member of the West Union Baptist Church in Versailles. In addition to his wife, Joyce, he is survived by his sons, Gary Stafford and wife Karen of Union, Missouri, and Cary Stafford, Jerry Stafford and wife Lisa, and Mark Stafford and wife Patricia all of Versailles, Missouri; his daughter, Betty Zhang of Qingdao, China; ten grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Kevin Stafford, seven brothers, and four sisters. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 11, at the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home in Versailles. Graveside service and interment with full military honors will follow in the Versailles Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Children’s Mercy Hospital in memory of his son, Kevin, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or the Navy Relief Society. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home of Versailles.

John J. Stafford

April 5, 1925 - August 6, 2011

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John J. Stafford

April 5, 1925 - August 6, 2011

About Us

What We Do

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