Dale Stafford

Dale Stafford of North Little Rock passed away on July 27, 2018 at University of Arkansas Medical Center of Merkel Cell Carcinoma, a very rare and aggressive form of cancer. He was born March 5, 1930 in Brinkley, Arkansas to Thomas and Kittura Henard Stafford. Dale is survived by his wife of 67 years, Penny Juanita Kemp Stafford and their son, Don and his wife, Megan of Boston, three grandchildren, David of Los Angeles, Calif., Miles and Kim both of Boston, Mass. Siblings, surviving, are Betty Sue Stierwalt of Martinsville, Ind., Dora Robinson (Charles) of Heber Springs, and Flora Arnold of Jonesboro. Preceding him, in death, were his parents, and siblings, Earnest, Louise, Marie, Earl, Tommy Joe and Billie. Surviving also are Kenneth Cartwright, Dr. Denver Barger and Dr. Roger Neal, sons, born, not by birth, but by a love shared through years of deep friendship and mutual respect. Dale was a graduate of Brinkley High School and Brooklyn College of the City University of New York where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Psychology. Successful in varied careers he was a 66-year member of the National Association of Sheet Metal Workers and was retired as Regional Coordinator of Apprenticeship Training for the Sheet Metal Workers International Association with offices in Arlington, Virginia having coordinated training in the states of Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma and Kansas. Also, in that capacity, he taught Smoking Cessation classes to members of the sheet metal industry with emphasis on the dangers of smoking and the prominence of Mesothelioma in their trade. He was a member of the American Welding Society and an AWS Certified Welding Inspector. The Twin Towers, New York Coliseum, New York City's famous Tombs, and the historic 21 Club were only a few of the many New York City landmarks to which he contributed his welding and drafting abilities. He was also owner and Broker of Allied Realty in North Little Rock and a past member of the local Realty Board. Dale was an active member of Faith Baptist Church in North Little Rock. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Fellowship Class Special Projects Fund at Faith Baptist Church 109 Tanglewood Drive, North Little Rock, Ark. 72118. Visitation and Celebration of Dale's life will be at the Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 North Main Street, NLR. Visitation hours will be 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 1, 2018. Celebration of Life services will be held on Thursday, August 2, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will follow at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. Online guestbook at www.smithfamilycares.com.