Obituary of Richard Wayne Stafford

Richard “Dick” Wayne Stafford Sr., 82, passed away at his home in Auburn, Washington on Monday, February 18, 2008. He was born November 23, 1925, in Toppenish, Washington to Harry Loren Stafford and Helen Reid Henderson. His boyhood home, and the place where he always loved to visit, was Lester, Washington from 1926 until 1936 when his family moved to the Auburn area. He graduated from Auburn High School in 1943. He served in the Merchant Marines from 1943 until 1946 and received an honorable Coast Guard discharge. On December 1, 1946, he married Ruth Hoskins in Tacoma, Washington and they made their home in Auburn. He worked as a foreman for the Nettleton Lumber Company in West Seattle throughout the 1950’s and until 1962 when he became a driver for Safeway, Inc. and worked until 2004. He loved to enjoy time with his family, and his other interests included motor biking, hiking, fixing cars, and spending time teaching his grandchildren. He was an Auburn resident for the last 60 years. Richard was a member of Teamster Local 174, and was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving many years as ward clerk. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Vera Conway; Wilma Ione Tyler; his son, Brian and great grandsons, Jacob and Josiah White. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ruth; his brothers, David Stafford of Auburn; Robert Stafford of Auburn; four sons, Richard Jr. (Jan), David (Cheri), Donald (Sue); daughter Shelley (Larry) Taylor of Sacramento, California; and Darrell, also of Auburn; 23 grandchildren; and 32 great-grandchildren. A funeral service is scheduled Saturday, February 23, 2008, at 11 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Auburn North Chapel, 625 M. St. N.E. Family and friends may come and pay their respects at 10 a.m. prior to the services. The Interment will be Monday at the Auburn Mountain View Cemetery. Curnow Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (253) 863-2800.