Richard Stafford

Richard W. Stafford, 64, of Mobile, AL, died suddenly in Fort Walton Beach, Fl. on Saturday, May 9. He was born in Miami, Florida on February 21, 1945 to Julia and Kenneth Stafford. Rick enlisted in the US Marine Corp after his graduation from Miami Edison Senior High in 1964 until 1968, during which time he served his country in Viet Nam from 1965-1966. He served on the Dade County Sherriff’s Dept from 1968-1969 and was presently a Constable for the city of Mobile since 2005. He was a member of the 20th Special Forces and the 19th Special Forces from 1969-1976. He went to Ranger School and Jump School in Fort Benning, Georgia, as well as Jungle School in the Panama Canal Zone. He was honored to be a Devil Dog I the Marine Corp League. He was also a US Paratrooper with the 82nd Air Born Association and an NRA Range Master and Recruiter. Rick was a loving father, brother, uncle and friend to those he leaves behind including his sons Ken and Ron, sister Jean Leonard, brother Kenneth Stafford, wife Erika Stafford, nephews John and Jim Leonard, niece Juli Denney and lifelong friend Bill Eades. He was loved by his family and friends and known for his gentle and soft-spoken kindness to all who crossed his path. Services will be held in Cocoa Beach at Our Saviours Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19.