Darrell Stafford

Darrell Eugene Stafford, age 89, of Grants Pass, Oregon passed peacefully February 12, 2020 at his home.

Darrell was born October 8, 1930 in Long Beach, California to Charles Wesley and Lola Bernice (Paul) Stafford. After moving to Grants Pass he attended Jerome Prairie Grade School and graduated from Grants Pass High School in 1948. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University, School of Engineering. After being involved with ROTC during college years, he enlisted in the United States Army Corps of Engineers serving in Korea. On September 2, 1951 at Newman Methodist Church in Grants Pass, Darrell married Margaret Ruth Darneille. They raised their family in Peoria, Illinois where Darrell worked at Caterpillar Tractor Company for 43 years before returning to Grants Pass.

In Peoria, Darrell volunteered at Common Place, as a Junior Achievement Advisor, and as a Boy Scout Leader. He served on the Administrative Board and the Council on Ministries at University United Methodist Church in Peoria. He was a member of the Peoria Astronomy Society, the Peoria Camera Club, the Photographic Society of America, the Caveman Camera Club in Grants Pass, the Jackson County Genealogical Society, the Josephine County Historical Society, and the Newman United Methodist Church.

Darrell especially enjoyed adventure traveling. He traveled to Africa, Alaska, Canada, Galapagos Islands, India, Nepal, New Zealand, and throughout the United States of America.

He is survived by his brothers Gary Stafford of Anchorage, Alaska and Loren Stafford of Chico, California; brother-in-law Leslie Carter Boardman of Portland, Oregon; son Duane (Janet) Stafford of Champaign, Illinois; daughter-in-law Vivian Stafford of Arvada, Colorado; daughter Carla Blackard of Peoria, Illinois; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, sister Janice Boardman, and son Byron Stafford.

A graveside service will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 22, 2020 at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Grants Pass, Oregon.