Jim Stafford a longtime Yale resident, passed away on Sunday,
July 6, 2014 at his home with his family by his side at the age of
67. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday,
July 14, 2014 at the Assembly of God in Yale. Brother Mich Dershem
will officiate. Interment will follow at Lawson Cemetery,
Yale, Ok.
Arrangements are entrusted to Palmer Marler Funeral Home, Yale, Ok.
Jim was born on June 23, 1947 in Yale to the late Jess and Mae Ellen
(Graham) Stafford. He grew up in Yale, graduating from Yale High
School in 1965. Jim worked for the Dairy Hut and Yale Drug Store
as a teenager. After high school he worked for Owen’s Oil,
Swan Rubber for fourteen years and then began his career with the
City of Yale as the Street and Parks Superintendent,
retiring in 2005. Jim married the love of his life Wanda Thurman
on July 6, 1968 in Cushing, to this union Cully and Julie were born.
Jim was baptized at the First Baptist Church in Yale in November
of 1986. He later joined the Fellowship Baptist Church where
his church family meant so much to him. He helped with the Civil
War Reenactment each year. Jim loved to read, especially westerns,
and working zigsaw and crossword puzzles. Jim was very talented with
his woodworking skills and made cedar chest with love for his family.
He enjoyed traveling, having yard sales and baking.
Jim loved sharing his pig lickin cake with everyone.
He loved spending time with his family and especially his grandkids.
Jim is survived by his wife Wanda of the home, son Cully and wife Angela
Stafford of Yale, daughter Julie McCall and husband Roy of Yale, brothers
Nelson Stafford and wife June of Edmond, Murl Stafford and wife Betty
of Tyler, Tx., Joe Stafford and wife Joyce of Hammond, La., sisters
Evelyn Snyder and husband Terry of Norman, Donna Mullins of Ft. Worth,TX
Janis Day and husband Bob of Maramec, brothers-in-laws Wes Thurman and wife
Han, Kenneth Thurman and wife Vickie, Henry Thurman and wife Yonha, sisters-in
law Neoma Moody and husband Paul, grandchildren Rebecca Vann Stafford and
Dyllon Stafford, and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and
great great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law Kenneth and Lorene
Thurman, sister Linda Kay Stafford, brother-in-law Chuck Mullins, great
niece Zoie and great great nephew Joel.
Condolences and online guest book are available at www.palmermarlerfh.com.
