James Nelson Stafford Jr.

STAFFORD, James Nelson, Jr., James Nelson Stafford, Jr., 77, died April 26, 2006, in St. Augustine, FL, following a long illness. A native of Phoenix, Arizona, Stafford served with honor as a Naval Chief Petty Officer during the Korean War. He later received his Bachelor of Science degree from Midwestern State University of Wichita Falls, TX, where he graduated with an Award of Distinction. He attended Arizona State University for his Master's degree. Achieving CPA status, he began a twenty-five-year employment with the U. S. General Accounting Office. Rising to the level of Deputy Director, Stafford served in Washington, D.C., Honolulu, Bangkok as the Director of SE Asia, and Dallas as the Director of the SW United States. Upon retirement in 1985, he moved to Florida and began residence in St. Augustine in 2000. A loving family man, Stafford is survived by his son, James Lee Stafford of St. Augustine, FL., and his daughter, Rose Marie Stafford of Beavercreek, OH; by seven grandchildren: Melody Stewart, Rhapsody Stewart, Harmony Cornett, Symphony Manke, Sonata Manke, Carol Bauer, and David Bauer as well as three great-grandchildren, Taylor, Viola, and Seattle. A memorial service will be held at 6:00 p.m., Monday, May 1, at the St. Augustine Shores United Methodist Church with Dr. Tom Cullen officiating. A private family interment at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations can be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida. Kotrady-Hudgins-Croyle Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.