Thomas Pearson Stafford, 87, a resident of Fairhope, passed away Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014.
He was born Feb. 15, 1927 in Oneida, Tenn. to Oscar K. and Effie Stafford.
He grew up in Missouri and Kentucky. The family moved to Alabama in 1941. Tom joined the Navy at age 17, and spent 16 months on a naval base on Saipan.
After attaining a bachelor’s degree at the University of Alabama, Tom was inducted into the Army Corps of Engineers as a second lieutenant and served in Korea as a company commander, where he was awarded a Bronze Star medal.
Mr. Stafford was preceded in death by 10 siblings, Frank R. Stafford, Chester A. Stafford, Beula S. Cottrell, Wilma S. Royer, Viola S. Neugent, Wm. Chas. Stafford Sr., Yantis Eugene Stafford, Doris S. Rogers, Virginia S. Threadgill and Ruby S. Threadgill.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Adele Stafford; two children, Marianne Stafford of North Attleboro, Ma. and Thomas M. Stafford of  Alpharetta, Ga. and his wife, Mary Sue Stafford; and a granddaughter, Cecille E. Stafford, a senior at the University of Georgia.
A celebration of life memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014, at 11 a.m., at Dauphin Way United Methodist Church in Mobile.
The family will receive friends at 10 a.m. until time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Society of St. Stephen or Meals on Wheels, both at Dauphin Way United Methodist Church, 1507 Dauphin St., Mobile, AL 36604, www.dauphinwayumc.org.
Arrangements by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, Fairhope.
