Jim Stafford

Jim Stafford, 62, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, July 10, 2010, at his home.

He was born Dec. 7, 1947, in Rector, Ark., to Dale and Oleda Presson Stafford. He and Karen Bateman were married Jan. 22, 1969, in Rector.

Jim was a 1966 graduate of Rector High School. He entered the U.S. Navy on June 15, 1966, in Little Rock, Ark., serving with the Riverine Force in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Achievement Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and a Vietnam Service Medal (one Bronze Star). He was honorably discharged March 2, 1970, at Norfolk, Va.

Jim was a career insurance agent in Cape Girardeau. In 1972, he earned his agent's license and in 2008 he established Stafford Financial Services. He had also earned his CLU and LUTCF. He was past president of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. He had been an active member of Lynwood Baptist Church since 1990 and had served as the Sunday school director. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge 639 in Cape Girardeau.

Loving survivors include his wife of 41 years, Karen of Cape Girardeau; three children, Jarett (Amanda) Stafford, Bethany Stafford and Shelby Stafford, all of Cape Girardeau; his mother and stepfather, Oleda and Boyd Ford of Jonesboro, Ark.; his stepmother, Viva (the late Dale) Stafford of Paragould, Ark.; a brother, Jesse (Sandra) Stafford of Jonesboro; three stepsisters, Carol (Rudy) Vines of Paragould, Marty (Woody) Parks of Horn Lake, Miss., and Laurie (Dennis) Adams of Hot Springs, Ark.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau, and after 11:30 a.m. until the time of service Tuesday at Lynwood Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral service will be at noon Tuesday, with the Rev. Mark Anderson officiating.

A committal service will be held at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Woodland Heights Cemetery in Rector.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Lynwood Baptist Church or the Cape Girardeau Senior Citizens Center.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.