Charles Stafford Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Charles Stafford, age 79, of Coleman, Texas, (formerly from Taylor, Texas), died on March 16, 2012. Charlie was born on May 28, 1932, making him almost 80. Charlie was born to Lillian Marshall and C.E. "Buddy" Stafford in Coleman. He attended elementary and high school there, and graduated at age 16 in 1949. Charlie was very active in the band in school, playing the trumpet, and dearly loved what he called "beautiful music." His children would later refer to that music as elevator music, but that's okay. On January 5th, 1950, with $50 in his pocket, given to him by his father, Charlie decided to make a career in the railroad industry. He was encouraged by his mentor, Uncle Grady Wester, who paid for Charlie's hernia surgery in order to be accepted at the railroad. Grady and Vera Wester would continue to be mentors in all ways to the Stafford family. Aunt Vera was a seamstress, a gardener, and a fabulous cook. After a brief stint in the Army, Charlie moved to Tyler, Texas, where he met Wanda Jane Wineblood. They married on November 5, 1953, and had three children; Vicki, Craig, and Brit. Charlie and Wanda raised their family in Taylor, Texas. Charlie spent many, many hours planting and watering oak trees at the house on Gilmore Street in Taylor. He became a beekeeper, providing jars of beautiful golden honey for all the neighbors on Gilmore. All of the Stafford children's friends were required to put on the beekeeping garb and harvest honey. In 1979, Wanda became sick with breast cancer, and died on April 7, 1982. Charlie's wife was gone, his job at the Missouri Pacific had been outsourced, and he was forced to reinvent himself at the Missouri Pacific Railroad in St. Louis, Missouri. He became highly successful in the "new age" of computers, traveling all over the U.S. teaching others about the computer industry. Charlie retired on December 31, 1995. Charlie loved his years with the railroad, gardening, beekeeping, amateur radio and tending to his beloved oak trees and rose bushes in Taylor and at the Coleman City Park. On June 9, 2003, Charlie married Helen Price Jones, in Lamoille, Nevada. They made their home in Coleman. Charlie is survived by his wife Helen, his only daughter, Vicki Stafford Bohls, and her husband Kirk. Charlie's grandsons Ryan Stafford Bohls, John Tyler Bohls, and Zachary Lee Bohls are his much beloved grandsons, from Austin, Texas. Helen's children, Peggy & Rick Densman of Abilene, Nancy & Bob Brockman of Sonora, Mary Jo & Sam Turner of Denton. Helen's grandchildren; Dr. Amy & Mark Morris, their children, Cody, Aiden of Abilene, Ryan Densman of Greeley Colorado, Landon Brockman of San Angelo, Samantha, Garret, Grant, and Abigale Turner of Denton. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Marijane Stafford and her daughter Catherine Pherigo (husband Will and their son Matthew) and son John Stafford, (wife Coleen,) and their children, Gabriel and Faith of Temple. Services will be held 4:00pm Sunday, March 18, 2012 in Walker Funeral Home Chapel with Kermit Sorrells and Bo Whitaker officiating. Graveside will be Monday at 2:00 p.m. in the Taylor City Cemetery in Taylor, Tx. with a beloved family friend Steve Ross and Rev. Patrick Bennett officiating. Honorary pall bearers will be Kirk Bohls, Ryan, Tyler and Zachary Bohls, and John Stafford, Charlie's nephew. The family would like to thank Dr. Paul Reynolds of Coleman for his advice and counsel throughout Charlie's illness. Hospice has been a Godsend to Helen. Memorial may be sent to Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford St., Abilene, TX 79605 or Scottish Rite Freemasonry, 500 S. Harwood, Dallas, TX 75201. Services have been under the direction of Walker Funeral Home. To sign the online condolences, go to; www.tomgwalkerfuneralhome.com

Charles Stafford

May 28, 1932 - March 16, 2012

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