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Gary Lloyd Stafford, 78, passed away September 9, 2018, at Washington Regional Medical Center. Gary was born August 31, 1940, in Orange, California; the son of Thurman and Bernice Mills and Virgil and Nina Stafford.He graduated from Fullerton High School in California. After high school, he enlisted in the Air Force, serving four years, mostly overseas on numerous Pacific Islands including Okinawa, Japan, Guam and others; working as an aircraft propeller specialist. Returning to the states, he began working as an apprentice printer for Moore Business Forms while pursuing a degree in printing from Fullerton Junior College. He retired from printing after 17 years, beginning a new venture as a printing teacher at Fullerton Junior College. Around 1980, Gary purchased Gateway Pet Cemetery in San Bernardino, California. He expanded and developed the business with his added crematory services and served the Greater Inland Empire of Southern California. During this time, he chose to serve his community and joined the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Posse as a reserve deputy where he was involved in many duties including law enforcement, search and rescue, and aviation. He served alongside famous TV cowboy Roy Rogers in the Sheriff's Posse and was Dale Evans' personal escort during the Roy Rogers Funeral. In the year 2000, Gary chose to retire and move back to Arkansas where he spent the remaining years of his life in the Alabam Community. Gary was a faithful member of the Huntsville Free Will Baptist Church until his illness confined him to his home.Gary Lloyd was predeceased by his parents, brother Gary Earl Stafford, sister Patricia Stafford Chesshir, and nephew Kirk Mills. He is survived by his wife, Linda Montgomery Stafford, who he married March 14, 1991. He is also survived by brothers, Ken Mills and Randy Mills and sisters, Nancy Rutherford and Vicky Stafford; Children: April Curtin, Michelle Eaton, Michael Stafford, Maria Coffey, Teresa Stafford, Jamie and Rick Cartmell and Phil and Kim Bolinger; Grand-children: Adam, Haley, Hunter, Melissa, Mike, Carolynn, Russell, Nick, Megan and Jacob, Colby, Colton, Cooper and Haley, and Caden; Great-grandchildren: Paislee and Celiana. Also, nieces, Jan, Jo, Kim, Carrie, Melissa, Christy, Catrina, Corrie, Linda, Sunny and Sage; Nephews, John, Kevin, Jason, Robert and Virgil. He is also survived by several great-nieces and great-nephews.The family will receive friends from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 13, 2018, at Brashears Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Friday, September, 14, 2018, at Brashears with Pastors Larry Montgomery and Jim Spurlock officiating. Pallbearers will be Colby Bolinger, Colton Cartmell, Cooper Cartmell, Caden Cartmell, Jacob Porter, Layne Chester and Landon Chester. Honorary pallbearers are Glen Canup, Jim Whittemore, Darby Spurlock, Jerry Spurlock, Jerry Vaughan, Wade Graham, Don Smith and the men of the Huntsville Free Will Baptist Church. Burial will immediately follow at Alabam Cemetery. Services are entrusted to Brashears Funeral Home and Crematory of Huntsville.

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Gary Lloyd Stafford

August 31, 1940 - September 9, 2018