Donald Eugene Stafford, age 92, passed away peacefully at his residence in Carthage, MO on Saturday, October 26, 2024, after battling lung cancer. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Donald was born to Paul and Pauline (Casebolt) Stafford in Carthage, MO on July 24,1932. He earned his GED while serving in the United States Air Force as a First Class Airman. He then furthered his education at Brevard Junior and Orange Coast Colleges.
Donald was employed by NASA and worked on the Apollo program at Cape Kennedy. As well as a Flight Test Electronic Engineer and a Senior Electronics Intercept Operator. While there, Donald met and later married Marilyn Williams. Together they had two children, Christy (Stafford) Flood and Douglas Stafford. After returning to his hometown, he met and married Gloria (Gerard) Stafford. The two combined their families and spent 25 years together filled with many adventures and much love.
Donald worked for Cardinal Scale in Webb City, MO as an electrical engineer for several years before retiring in the early 1990’s. Over the years, Donald enjoyed playing pool, poker, fishing and traveling all over the world. He frequently traveled to Venezuela to fish and started a fishing camp there, which he named Fish~n~Fun.
Donald was preceded in death by his father Paul, mother Pauline, sister Mary Gordan and his wife Gloria. Donald is survived by his sister Betty Snider, his daughter Christy (Mackenzie) Flood, son Douglas, stepson Stacy (Lori) Beasley, his 6 grandchildren, Jacob and Brandon Stafford, Nathan and Nicholas Flood, Samara (Evan) Maggard and Micah Beasley, his 3 great granddaughters Elena Flood, Lynlee and Millie Maggard.
A memorial celebration will be held on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at the Carthage VFW Post 2590. More information at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Ozark Memorial Park of Joplin, MO.