James "Jim" Stafford

Ava, Missouri

James Tilford Stafford, 84 years, 2 months, 26 days old, passed to Heaven on January 29, 2018 at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare with his loving wife, Lila by his side.

Jim was born November 3, 1933 near Dogwood, MO in Douglas County to Tilford and Gladys (Buchanan) Stafford.

He was a U.S. Marine Veteran and served during the Korean War. Jim was a retired mechanic and operated his own company, Jim's Sinclair Service in Ava.

On Nov. 1, 1957 Jim and Lila Streight were united in marriage at Silver Shade Church in Ava, MO and to this union they were blessed with two children, Tim and Kelly.

Jim was a Christian and a member of the Highway Church of the Nazarene, Ava, MO. He served for several years on the Douglas County Ambulance Board. He also helped organize the Ava Rural Fire Dept.  Jim volunteered with the Douglas County Sheriff's Dept. and also was a driver for the Ava Area Ambulance District. He enjoyed helping and serving others.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Jack Stafford.

He is survived by his wife, Lila of the home, two children and their spouses, Tim & Vicki Stafford and Kelly & Les Moody, three grandsons, Justin and James Stafford, and Daniel Moody,     three great grandchildren, Ashlyn, Braelyn, and Urijah, several step great grandchildren, two siblings, Roger Stafford and June Kozdereli, many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Graveside services for Jim will be Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. in the Fannon Cemetery, south of Ava with military honors by the Troy Herd American Legion Post #112. Officiating will be Pastor David Dye and Pastor Shane Weaver. Memorials may be made to the Gideon's or donor's choice of charity.