Mike Stafford

Thomas G. "Mike" Stafford, 103, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, March 12, 2019, at Missouri Veterans Home.

He was born June 28, 1915, in Zadock, Missouri, to Thomas Allen and Minnie Bell Allen Stafford. He and Ruth Berneice Johnson were married March 9, 1935, at Vanduser, Missouri. She preceded him in death Nov. 6, 2004.

Mike was a World War II veteran and served in the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1946 in the Pacific/Philippines and Japan under the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

He was first a truck driver and later a dispatcher for commercial transport. After he retired, he became a bus driver for Scott City School District for seven years.

He was a member of Cape Community Church of God, formerly Westside Church of God, where he served as Sunday school superintendent. His adopted church was Lynwood Baptist Church.

He was an avid gardener, huge dancer and ruthless Bingo player. He could make a mean batch of homemade gravy and fried potatoes. He liked to meet his friends at Hardee's on Saturday mornings.

Survivors include his three daughters, LaReta Macke of Nashville, Tennessee, and Donna Glenice Cotner and Teresa (Charles) Haubold of Cape Girardeau; brother, Eldon Stafford, formerly of Essex, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Sue (David) Crader of Scott City, Julie Macke-Heyes and Sarah Williams of Antioch, Tennessee, Mike Cotner of Cape Girardeau, Jo Donna (Homer) Markhart of Woodbridge, Virginia, Heather (Jimmy) Randle of Jackson and Kelly (Chris) Kasten of Cape Girardeau; 14 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, two sisters and four brothers.

Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Mark Anderson officiating. Burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau. Full military rites will be provided by Missouri Honors Team.

Memorial contributions may be given to Missouri Veterans Home, 2400 Veterans Memorial Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.