Samual Stafford Obituary Samual Frank Stafford, affectionately known to his loved ones, as "Sam, Sammy, Dad, Daddy, Papa, and Grandpa" passed from this earth and on to the afterlife on April 2, 2024. Born in Sault Ste. Marie Michigan on December 30, 1929, he traveled the world with the Navy for 22 years and passed peacefully at his home with loved ones in Suffolk, VA, which he called home in his later years. Son to the late Thomas William Stafford and Ethel Mae Stafford, he is also predeceased by his siblings Pauline Moll, Charles Stafford, Eveylen Blondeau Maebelle Brooks, Arlene Linda Sheppard, Thomas Stafford, and Clarence Stafford. He is survived by siblings Raymond Stafford and Irene Carolyn Thiele, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In passing he has now joined his loving wife Lucy Romano Stafford with whom he built a robust and adoring family. Including his children Teresa (David) Frazier, Tom (Barbara) Stafford, John (Sharon) Stafford, and Mary Ann (Ray) McCarthy; his grandchildren, who were his world and who will hold fond memories of fishing and playing on the floor with him in their youth: Jennifer, Melissa, Kristina, Michael, Julie, Jessica, Sabrina, and Tabitha; and 11 great grandchildren. A veteran of the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War, Sam retired as a Senior Chief Fire Control Technician. He was recipient of several Navy awards including the Navy Achievement Medal Combat V Commendation from Commander USN 7th Fleet, the Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, a Combat Action Ribbon-Vietnam, Navy Unit Commendation Bar, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross with Palm) as well as numerous other medals. He also received letters of Commendation from Commanding Officer, Rear Admiral Gene LaRocoue USN Commander Cruise Destroyer Flotilla 4 Department of Naval Weapons, Washington DC for his initiative and many other commendations. Following his Navy career, he worked as an X-Ray Service Engineer for Picker Medical Corp, as plant maintenance electrician for Birmingham Steel Plant, and later continued x-ray work when he formed Stafford Medical Engineering Inc. Sam was a lifetime member of the National Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans, a past commander of the Charlottesville, VA, DAV, Member of the USS Robert A Owens Shipmate Association, The Tin Can Sailors Association, and a lifetime member of the Sault St. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. A visitation with the family will take place on April 9, 2024 at 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM in the R. W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory, 5685 Lee Farm Lane, Suffolk, VA. A graveside service with Military Honors will be held at 12 noon in the chapel at Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens, 4569 Shoulders Hill Road, Suffolk VA with Father Jim Griffin officiating. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Shriners Children. Condolences may be registered at RWBakerfh.com. Obituary published on Legacy.com by R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home & Crematory - Northern Suffolk Chapel on Apr. 5, 2024. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See also: 1) https://www.rwbakerfh.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?searchNameSamualStafford&page1 2) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/samual-stafford-obituary?id54800967 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ### Narrative summary of the obituary Samual Frank Stafford, born 30 December 1929 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, passed away on 2 April 2024 in Suffolk, VA. A Navy veteran of 22 years, he served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Sam was a devoted family man, survived by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. ### Narrative summary of funeral services A visitation was held on 9 April 2024 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at R. W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory in Suffolk, VA. A graveside service with Military Honors followed at 12 noon in the chapel at Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens, Suffolk VA, officiated by Father Jim Griffin. ### The Edited Obituary Samual Frank Stafford, affectionately known to his loved ones, as "Sam, Sammy, Dad, Daddy, Papa, and Grandpa" passed from this earth and on to the afterlife on 2 April 2024. Born in Sault Ste. Marie Michigan on 30 December 1929, he traveled the world with the Navy for 22 years and passed peacefully at his home with loved ones in Suffolk, VA, which he called home in his later years. Son to the late Thomas William Stafford and Ethel Mae Stafford, he is also predeceased by his siblings Pauline Moll, Charles Stafford, Evelyn Blondeau Maebelle Brooks, Arlene Linda Sheppard, Thomas Stafford, and Clarence Stafford. He is survived by siblings Raymond Stafford and Irene Carolyn Thiele, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In passing he has now joined his loving wife Lucy Romano Stafford with whom he built a robust and adoring family. Including his children Teresa (David) Frazier, Tom (Barbara) Stafford, John (Sharon) Stafford, and Mary Ann (Ray) McCarthy; his grandchildren, who were his world and who will hold fond memories of fishing and playing on the floor with him in their youth: Jennifer, Melissa, Kristina, Michael, Julie, Jessica, Sabrina, and Tabitha; and 11 great grandchildren. A veteran of the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War, Sam retired as a Senior Chief Fire Control Technician. He was recipient of several Navy awards including the Navy Achievement Medal Combat V Commendation from Commander USN 7th Fleet, the Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, a Combat Action Ribbon Vietnam, Navy Unit Commendation Bar, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross with Palm) as well as numerous other medals. He also received letters of Commendation from Commanding Officer, Rear Admiral Gene LaRocque USN Commander Cruise Destroyer Flotilla 4 Department of Naval Weapons, Washington DC for his initiative and many other commendations. Following his Navy career, he worked as an X Ray Service Engineer for Picker Medical Corp, as plant maintenance electrician for Birmingham Steel Plant, and later continued x ray work when he formed Stafford Medical Engineering Inc. Sam was a lifetime member of the National Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans, a past commander of the Charlottesville, VA, DAV, Member of the USS Robert A Owens Shipmate Association, The Tin Can Sailors Association, and a lifetime member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. A visitation with the family will take place on 9 April 2024 at 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM in the R. W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory, 5685 Lee Farm Lane, Suffolk, VA. A graveside service with Military Honors will be held at 12 noon in the chapel at Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens, 4569 Shoulders Hill Road, Suffolk VA with Father Jim Griffin officiating. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Shriners Children. Condolences may be registered at RWBakerfh.com. ### Vital Statistics Summary | Name | Samual Frank Stafford | |---------|----------------------------------------------| | Age | 94 | | Birth | 30 December 1929; Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | | Death | 2 April 2024; Suffolk, VA | ### Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |-------------------------|------------------------|-------------| | Samual Frank Stafford | Decedent | Suffolk, VA | | Lucy Romano Stafford | Spouse (predeceased) | -- | | Thomas William Stafford | Parent (predeceased) | -- | | Ethel Mae Stafford | Parent (predeceased) | -- | | Teresa (David) Frazier | Child | Unknown | | Tom (Barbara) Stafford | Child | Unknown | | John (Sharon) Stafford | Child | Unknown | | Mary Ann (Ray) McCarthy | Child | Unknown | | Jennifer | Grandchild | Unknown | | Melissa | Grandchild | Unknown | | Kristina | Grandchild | Unknown | | Michael | Grandchild | Unknown | | Julie | Grandchild | Unknown | | Jessica | Grandchild | Unknown | | Sabrina | Grandchild | Unknown | | Tabitha | Grandchild | Unknown | | Raymond Stafford | Sibling | Unknown | | Irene Carolyn Thiele | Sibling | Unknown | | Pauline Moll | Sibling (predeceased) | -- | | Charles Stafford | Sibling (predeceased) | -- | | Evelyn Blondeau | Sibling (predeceased) | -- | | Maebelle Brooks | Sibling (predeceased) | -- | | Arlene Linda Sheppard | Sibling (predeceased) | -- | | Thomas Stafford | Sibling (predeceased) | -- | | Clarence Stafford | Sibling (predeceased) | -- | ### Other Relevant Information 1. Samual Frank Stafford traveled the world with the Navy for 22 years. 2. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. 3. Sam retired as a Senior Chief Fire Control Technician. 4. He received several Navy awards, including the Navy Achievement Medal Combat V Commendation from Commander USN 7th Fleet, the Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, a Combat Action Ribbon Vietnam, Navy Unit Commendation Bar, and Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross with Palm). 5. He received letters of Commendation from Commanding Officer, Rear Admiral Gene LaRocque USN Commander Cruise Destroyer Flotilla 4 Department of Naval Weapons, Washington DC, for his initiative and many other commendations. 6. After his Navy career, he worked as an X-Ray Service Engineer for Picker Medical Corp, as a plant maintenance electrician for Birmingham Steel Plant, and later continued x-ray work when he formed Stafford Medical Engineering Inc. 7. Sam was a lifetime member of the National Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans. 8. He was a past commander of the Charlottesville, VA, DAV. 9. He was a member of the USS Robert A Owens Shipmate Association and The Tin Can Sailors Association. 10. Sam was a lifetime member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. ### Publication Details | Place | Name | Date | |------------|-------------------------------------------|------------ | | Legacy.com | R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home & Crematory | Northern Suffolk Chapel | 5 April 2024 |