Ronald Stafford

Ronald Gene Stafford Sr., 73, of Sherwood passed away Saturday, March 8, 2014. He was proud to have served with the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions as a Jump Master before retiring in 1978 as a Captain from the United States Army. He served in the Dominican Republic, Vietnam and two tours in Germany. He then moved to Arkansas where he took the position as an advisor with the Arkansas National Guard, 212th Signal Battalion. He worked in the automobile industry for 30 years. Ron loved the First Baptist Church of Sherwood where he was a member and served as an Usher. He loved outdoors, camping, working in his yard and his pool. Also, he loved traveling with his wife and friends. Ron enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and lived life to the fullest. He is survived by his wife and best friend of 52 years, whom he met in the 1st grade, Zona Hoke Stafford, of Sherwood; children, Ronald Gene Stafford, Jr., of Sherwood, Lisa Bell (David) of Conway, Christina Marie Walters (Brian Flood) of Jacksonville, Wilbur Dale Hoke (Jo Lynn) of Sherwood, Melody Hoke Davis (James H.) of Tallahassee, Florida; seven grandchildren, Jennifer Davis, Andrew Davis, Ronald Corey Stafford (Misty), Ashton Christine Morris, Brian Bell, William Hayden Walters, Sarah Marie Walters; three great-grandchildren, Kaidence and Kaelynn Stafford and Sophia Baez; sisters, Nancy Guin (Wayne), of Moncure, North Carolina and Genny Keeney of Venice, Florida; sisters-in-law, Faye Stafford, of Williamsburg, Kentucky, Deanna Stafford, of Fayetteville, West Virginia; his favorite twin aunts Kat Tiller and Frances Willis both of Florida, and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold B. and Juanita Cantley Stafford; his twin brother, Don Stafford and his brother, Tom Stafford. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Sherwood, 701 Country Club Road, Sherwood, Arkansas 72120. A memorial service will be held 10 a.m., Thursday at First Baptist Church of Sherwood. Burial will be in Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.