Thomas Leonard “Ole Blue” Stafford

Thomas Leonard “Ole Blue” Stafford, 85, of Village Mills, died Tuesday, August 1, 2017. He was born on January 11, 1932, in El Reno, Oklahoma, to Ethel Ann Palmore Stafford and Roy Leonard Stafford.

Thomas graduated from El Reno High School, in Oklahoma, in 1949. He served as Drum Major in their marching band. Thomas served in the United States Navy from 1951 until 1955, aboard the U.S.S. Hornet CPA-12 Air Craft Carrier. He graduated from Southwestern State College at Weatherford, Oklahoma, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, Physics, and Biology in 1958. Thomas was a member of United Methodist Church Village Mills. He enjoyed singing in the choir. Thomas claimed to be the oldest student pilot in the state of Texas. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, painting, drawing, golf, flying, wood-working, clowning with the Shriners, and traveling to visit with his family and friends. Thomas was a fifty-year member of Port Neches Masonic Lodge #1163. He was a Past High Priest of Port Neches Chapter #436. Thomas was a member of the Port Neches Council #413 and Beaumont Commandry #38. He was also a member of the Cashan Grotto in Beaumont. Thomas was a 320 Scottish Rite and a member of El Mina Shrine in Galveston. He was past president of Nem Loof Mid County Shrine Clowns and was an Endowed Member of All Bodies.

Survivors include his sons, Tim Stafford and his wife, Zethria, of Vidor; Joe Stafford and his wife, La Rue, of Woodville; and Danny Stafford and his wife, Kim, of Nederland; daughter, Jeannie Richard and her husband, Eddy, of Groves; grandchildren, Curtis Stafford, Amber Brunson, Cody Stafford, Jake Stafford, Tiffany Johnson, Carlee Stafford, Jamie Stafford, Lindsey Richard, Avie Walling, and Allie Richard; great-grandchildren, Cambry Stafford, Carson Stafford, Canon Stafford, Ethan Robinson, Jax Robinson, Riley Johnson, Rowan Johnson, Mac Walling, Wells Walling, and Huckston Denham.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife and mother of his children, Freda M. Stafford; wives, Patricia Ruth Stafford and Marceile Stafford; and grandson, Tim Stafford, Jr.

A gathering of Mr. Stafford’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, August 4, 2017, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 5, 2017, at Broussard’s, with his interment to follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches.

Memorial contributions for Mr. Stafford may be made to First United Methodist Church Children’s Fund, 5943 FM 3063, Village Mills, Texas 77663 or First Christian Church 400 S Barker Ave, El Reno, Oklahoma 73036.