James A. Stafford

James A. Stafford, 87, went to be with the Lord January 4, 2016.

James was born in Rumford, Maine. He is an alumnus of Gould Academy, Emerson College in Boston, and received a Masters degree from The University of Central Florida. James was an Air Force fighter Pilot, a Communications Officer, and also received certification as a Military Aviation Crash Investigator. He retired to Orlando Florida, and moved to Sarasota in 2013. He was an avid golfer, loved canoeing and camping, was an excellent ballroom dancer, and traveled much of the world. He is a member of The First Baptist Church of Sarasota. Previously, he was a member of The First Baptist Church of Winter Park, Florida for 40 years.

He was married to his beloved Barbara McElvey Stafford, who passed away in 2013, for 58 years. They have three children, James Stafford Jr. (Judy), Jennifer Dreznin (Neal) and Kathryn Stafford. He adored his three Grand Children, Sean Dreznin (Jonell), Danielle Hrabos (Pat), and Michael Dreznin; and one Great Grandson, Triton Dreznin. He was blessed with a beautiful extended family thru his sweetheart Jane Clayton.

We will miss him greatly.

A service and celebration of life was held Saturday, January 9th at 3:00 P.M., at Brookdale Central Retirement Community, 4540 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, Fl. 34233. The Graveside Service with military honors will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, February 6, 2016, at Sunset Hill Cemetery. Condolences to the family may be expressed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home, Valdosta.


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602