Services for Dr. Donald Gene Stafford, 81, Ada, are 10 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church in Ada, Rev. John Haynes and Dr. Pat Kilby officiating. Burial will follow at Rosedale Cemetery in Ada. A visitation is planned from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday at Criswell Funeral Home. … Dr. Stafford died Monday, February 27, 2012, with his family by his side. He was born October 9, 1930 in Valliant, Oklahoma, to Otto and Rose Stafford and grew up in a close family. He dropped out of high school at the age of 17 to join the U. S. Army, in part to help support his family. He served for five years, becoming a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division and achieving both parachute and glider wings.
He married Jane Wright on July 5, 1951. They have been best friends and constant companions for the past 60 years. She was by his side when he passed away on Monday.
After an honorable discharge from the Army, Don Stafford obtained his G.E.D. and went to college at the University of Oklahoma on the G.I. Bill, receiving a B.S. degree in Chemistry in 1958. He then earned a M.S. in Mathematics from Oklahoma State University in 1961 and his Ph.D. in Science Education from the University of Oklahoma in 1969. Dr. Stafford began his university teaching career at East Central University, then known as East Central State College, in 1961 and taught there continuously until his retirement from university teaching in 1995. He taught Mathematics and General Physical Science before transferring to the Chemistry Department in 1962. He taught Chemistry for 34 years and he served as Chairman of the Chemistry Department from 1980 until his retirement. Dr. Stafford twice served as state President of the Oklahoma Science Teachers Association and served as the Membership Chairman for the National Science Teachers Association in 1967. In addition to his work at East Central, Dr. Stafford was an Adjunct Professor at the University of Oklahoma from 1970 to 1995 and served on several Doctoral Committees for degree candidates. During his tenure at East Central University, Dr. Stafford focused his energies and his scholarship on creative methods of teaching science to elementary, secondary, and college level students and on educating teachers how better to teach science to elementary and secondary level students.
He conducted over 25 workshops for high school teachers and college teachers at East Central University and throughout the United States, funded by grants from the National Science Foundation, National Education Association, and the Noble Foundation. For several years he conducted summer science programs at East Central University for Native American high schools students interested in pursuing science and medical degrees in college. He served as the chairman of the North Central Evaluation Committee for East Central University from 1992 to 1993. Dr. Stafford has published over 20 books on science teaching by major publishing companies and over 50 articles on science education. Some of his published Chemistry experiments continue to be good sellers for Cengage Learning, a major textbook publishing company. After his retirement, Dr. Stafford turned his writing skill to poetry. He has printed two volumes of poetry and has recited his poetry to groups and churches all around the state of Oklahoma. He is a member of the Ada Writers Club and was twice nominated for Poet Laureate for the State of Oklahoma. Most important of all, Dr. Stafford was a Christian.
Throughout his teaching career, he also focused his energies and his scholarship on dispelling the myth that science is somehow inconsistent with faith in God and, more specifically, faith in Jesus Christ. In fact, one of his most popular self-published books was a brief pamphlet entitled, “Things I Know about God and Man.” He distributed literally thousands of copies of this work to students, friends, and colleagues over the years. Copies have turned up all over the world. He has been a member of the First Baptist Church of Ada since 1962, served as a Deacon for many years, and twice served as the Chairman of the Deacons. He taught Sunday School for many years, including high school, young married, single, and adult classes, and he served on numerous committees. Don Stafford loved to travel, play bridge, and spend time with his family. He was a member of the Ada Lions Club for 12 years and served as president in 1986. His love for teaching, dedication to scholarly and creative writing, personal character, and faith in Jesus Christ have inspired and touched the lives of countless individuals over the years.
Donald G. Stafford is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jane Stafford, of the home; three sons, Michael Stafford, and his wife, Angela, of Ada, Robert Stafford, and his wife, Dawne, of Tulsa, and Joel Stafford of Ada; eight grandchildren, Nancy Freeman and her husband, Paul, of Kansas City, Joy Countryman and her husband, Craig, of Nashville, Zachary Stafford of Nashville, Jordan Stafford of Tulsa, Griffin Stafford of Tulsa, Matthew Stafford of Colorado Springs, Shawn Stafford of Ada, and Allison Stafford of Ada; four great-grandchildren, Katlyn Freeman, Kyra Freeman, Brylan Countryman, and Lux Countryman.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Joe Stafford. He is survived by one sister, Carrolyn Haley, and her husband, R. L., of Valliant; two brothers, Edwin Stafford and his wife Shirley, of Valliant, and Kenneth Stafford and his wife, Mary, of Valliant; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be his five grandsons, Zach, Matt, Shawn, Jordy, and Griff, his two grandsons-in-law, Paul Freeman and Craig Countryman, and his brother-in-law, R. L. Haley.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Don Stafford Centennial Scholarship Fund, East Central University Foundation, Inc., 1100 E. 14th, PMB Y-8, Ada, OK 74820.
The obituary may be viewed and online condolences sent to criswellfh.com.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
