Bob Stafford

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Bobby J. Stafford was born June 21, 1934 in Powell, Missouri, one of six children to Lee and Merle (Norman) Stafford. He entered into rest with family at his side on November 3, 2020 in Joplin at the age of 86. 

Bob moved to California at the age of five and returned to Missouri to live with his sister, Maxine Carlin and graduated from Stella High School in 1953. He worked at Rocketdyne and worked on the first space capsule and met astronaut Buz Aldrin. He then worked at Buddy L and La Z Boy and established his own business, S and S Fencing. 

 He was a member of the Church of Christ and served as Minister at the Exeter Church of Christ and Spring City Church of Christ. He was a former board member of the Newton County Mental Health Board and was the biggest East Newton Patriot Fan, never missing a game.

 

Bobby and Joan (Wood) were married on August 24, 1953 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma and she survives. 

In addition to his wife of 67 years, he is survived by two children, Bobby (Denise) Stafford of Neosho and Janette (Douglas) Coberley of Rocky Comfort; five grandchildren, Jeremy (Candace) Stafford, Karah (Matt) Engels, Victoria (Tyler) Robertson, Rachel (Robert) Murphy and Andrew (Bailey) Coberley; nine great grandchildren; one brother, Duke Stafford of Sacramento, California and one sister, Iona Hughes of Sacramento, California and numerous nieces and nephews. 

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister, Maxine Carlin and two brothers, Jay and Jr. Stafford.