Gary Wayne Stafford

Services for Gary Stafford will be 10:00a.m., Friday, August 5, 2016 at MMS-Payne Funeral Home Chapel, burial will follow at Washington Cemetery with military honors. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Thursday, from 1pm--8pm, family will receive visitors from 6pm--8pm. Gary passed away on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at St. John Medical Center with his family by his side. He was 71.

Born August 5, 1944 in Claremore, Oklahoma to Clifford Morgan and Betty Jo (Patterson) Stafford, Gary grew up in his birth community. He had a paper route when he was first out of school and later began working for IBM in Tulsa. Gary married Jeannie Fox in a Nowata ceremony on January 20, 1967. The couple made their home in Claremore. Gary joined the Army in 1967 and serviced his country for 8 years. Following his honorable discharge Gary returned to Oklahoma and worked for a loan company in Bartlesville. Later he sold cars for Tomas Cadillac in Tulsa. Gary began his own business, remodeling hotels and motels. His love of woodworking came into good use during this time.

Gary's pastimes included fishing and spending time with his family. He also spent many hours in his shop making items from wood to give to the people he loved.

Those family members that survive include his wife Jeannie of their home; his children Casey Stafford and wife Erin, Sean Stafford and Shannon White; his grandchildren Rebecca Brown and husband Perry, Michael White, Richard White, Emma Stafford, Raymie Stafford and Buster Stafford; his great granddaughter Brooklynn Brown.; his brothers Joe Stafford and wife Sharon and Johnny Bussey and wife Kathy and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Gary was preceded in death by his parents Clifford Stafford and Betty Bryan.