David Stafford, 75, retired Naval officer worked for NASA – Coastal Observer
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David Stafford, 75, retired Naval officer worked for NASA

August 27, 2022

David Spencer Stafford of Willbrook Plantation died Saturday at home with his wife and four daughters at his side. He was 75.

He was born Jan. 29, 1947, in Norfolk, Va., the youngest of four children of  John Horace Stafford and Alice Bernice Spencer Stafford.  

He married Janet Marie Knotts on April 12, 1969.  They raised their family in Springfield, Va.

At age 8, he started a newspaper route that he continued through his first year in college, showing a dilligence that would continue throughout his life. He earned a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University and followed his father’s nautical path by enlisting in the Navy. He was deployed on the USS Plymouth Rock and served in Vietnam.  He earned acceptance into Officers Candidate School, received a master’s degree from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., and  worked for NASA at the Pentagon.  

Mr. Stafford retired as lieutenant commander after 20 years of service.

Mr. Stafford trusted Jesus Christ as his lord and savior and during his retirement years he enjoyed attending a weekly mens’ Bible study. 

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jan Stafford; his daughters Sherry Broeker (Chad), Brandy Bouch (Tobey), Jamie Johns (Darrell) and Laura Erskine (Tony); 12 grandchildren; a sister, Barbara June Newnam (Bob); a brother, Jeff Stafford; and many nieces and nephews. 

In addition to his parents, his brother, John “Budgie” Stafford, and his sisters-in-law, Brenda Stafford and Marilyn Stafford, died before him.

A memorial service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Burroughs Funeral Home. The family will receive visitors for one hour prior to the service.

Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Parkinson Voice Project at parkinsonvoiceproject.org.

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