Master Sergeant (U. S. Army Ret.) Douglas Marion Stafford, age 69, of Arkadelphia passed away June 17, 2010, at the Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock. Born on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, 1940, he was raised in Camden. He was the eighth child of the late James Edward and Verda Webb Stafford. He graduated from Camden High School in 1958.
Doug spent 29 years in the United States Army Reserves. He was on active duty during the Vietnam War. He also held rear detachment chemical training support positions at Ft. McClellan, Ala., in support of Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the early 1990’s. He retired in 2000 with numerous awards for his outstanding service to our country.
Doug’s biggest joys in life were his family, particularly his grandsons. Gran was always there with quarters for offering or the protective hug to keep punishment away. Cade and Cale always had a playmate for any type of ball. Although they lived far away, Dylan and Logan always had a pal and advisor. DJ and Pops’ favorite hangout was McDonald’s.
Survivors include his wife and best friend of almost 45 years, Vicki Seymore Stafford of Arkadelphia; his daughters, Jennifer Culp of Anchorage, Alaska, Becky McBride and her husband Shane of Arkadelphia; five grandsons, John Dylan Culp, Logan Douglas Culp and David James (DJ) Culp of Anchorage, Alaska, and Michael Cade Elven McBride and William Cale McBride of Arkadelphia; four brothers, Winnie Lester of Camden, John (Jene) Staffard of Camden, Jim (Mary Elizabeth) Stafford of Little Rock and Richard (Carole) Stafford of Bryant; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Siblings that preceded Doug in death were Dianne Stafford, Maude Evelyn Williams, Rebecca Mogle, Gerald Stafford and Edward Stafford.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday in the Trinity Temple Assembly of God Church with Pastor Rick Mays officiating. Burial will be with full military honors at 2 p.m. Monday at Camden Memorial Park Cemetery in Camden. Visitation was 3-5 p.m. Sunday in Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home in Arkadelphia.
Memorials may be made to Group Living Inc., Box 159, Arkadelphia, AR 71923. Sign the on line guest book at www.ruggleswilcox.com
Arkadelphia, Ark. —
