Mr. Ralph Stafford Sr.

Ralph Eugene Stafford, Sr, born January 10, 1926 in New Orleans, Louisiana, was the fourth child of Vernon Alley Stafford, Sr. and Lillian Dumas Stafford. The Independence Heights was his home for 88 of his 93 years. He attended Burrus Elementary-Jr. High School and graduated in 1943 from Booker T. Washington Sr. High School before attending UCLA. In 1943 during World War II, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served in the Merchant Marines adding Guam and the Philippines to his travel experiences. After honorably serving his country, he met and married the love of his life, Josephine Phillips, who predeceased him in June 2011. Their 65 years of marriage was blessed with seven (7) sons, (20) grandchildren, and (19) great grandchildren. Ralph Stafford, Sr. was known in his community and by co-workers, family and friends as being well-read and having a sharp mind on most subjects. He taught himself and could and did play a variety of musical instruments, including the saxophone and the trumpet. He loved cars and after the war, he drove a Model-T Ford scaring the daylights out of his adoring younger siblings. He enjoyed video filming and once scripted and filmed Gone With The Wind acted out with childhood friends. Ralph was a lifetime member of the National Postal Alliance. After retiring from the United States Postal Service with 33 years of service, he proceeded to obtain a Real Estate Broker’s License with an office on North Main Street and later on East 34th Street. He was actively involved with the Booker T. Washington Alumni Association, Class of ’43, and had the distinction of being the last living member of that class. He was also a lifelong active member of St. Anne de Beaupre Catholic Church. Ralph Eugene Stafford, Sr. is survived by his loving family, including, Dr. Ralph Eugene Stafford, Jr. (Pharm. D); Carlos Dumas Stafford, Edmund Albert Stafford, Joel Frances Stafford, Sr., BBA, MA., his sons; 20 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, two (2) sisters, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and his sons: Harold Glenn Stafford R Ph, Vernon A. Stafford III R Ph, and Marion Joseph Stafford, Sr.

Mr. Ralph Stafford Sr.

January 10, 1926 - March 2, 2019