Service Information
Thomas D. Stafford, age 87, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away on Friday, March 4, 2022, at Hutchinson Health in Hutchinson.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 11, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Anastasia Catholic Church in Hutchinson with interment in St. Anastasia Catholic Cemetery in Hutchinson.
Visitation will be held Friday, March 11, 2022, one hour prior to the service ALL at the church.
Obituary
Thomas Duane Stafford was born on May 20, 1934, in Cosmos, Minnesota. He was the son of James and Bessie (Mayes) Stafford. Tom was baptized as an infant, and later confirmed in his faith as a youth. He received his education in Litchfield, Minnesota, and was a graduate with the Litchfield High School class of 1952.
Tom entered active military service in the United States Army on April 22, 1957, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and served his country during peacetime. He received an Honorable Discharge on April 15, 1959, at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, and achieved the rank of Private First Class E3.
On February 23, 1957, Tom was united in marriage to Delores Egan at Assumption Catholic Church in Eden Valley, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with four children, Susan, Karen, Thomas, and Joseph. Tom and Delores resided in Eden Valley for a few years until they moved, in 1963, to Hutchinson, Minnesota, where they raised their family. They shared 65 years of marriage.
Tom was employed at Conventional Homes in Litchfield. He began employment at 3M Hutchinson in 1959 and retired on June 1, 1993, as an injection molding supervisor after 34 years.
Tom was a member of St. Anastasia Catholic Church in Hutchinson. He was also a member of Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, Ducks Unlimited, Gopher Campfire, Knights of Columbus, 3M Quarter Century Club, and 3M Cares Group.
Tom was an avid outdoorsman; he enjoyed hunting waterfowl, grouse, and deer, snowmobiling, building small model airplanes, volunteering, and woodworking. His happy place was at the cabin up north surrounded by his family. Tom was always working on a project. He cherished the time spent with his family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends.
Tom passed away on Friday, March 4, 2022, surrounded by his loving family at Hutchinson Health in Hutchinson, at the age of 87 years.
Blessed be his memory.
Tom is survived by his:
Wife, Delores Stafford of Hutchinson, MN;
Children, Susan Johnson and her husband, Doug of Hutchinson, MN,
Karen McKay and her husband, Jim of Hutchinson, MN,
Thomas Stafford and his wife, Jeanne of Eagan, MN,
Joseph Stafford and his wife, Kay of Farmington, MN;
Grandchildren, Andrew Johnson and his fiancé, Toni Johnson, Jeff McKay and his wife, Amy, Dan McKay and his wife, Sarah, Patrick McKay, Matthew Stafford and his wife, Hannah, Marie Morales and her husband, Irving, Mitchell Stafford, Zack Stafford, Jacob Bergh and his wife, Julia.
Great-grandchildren, Jayden McKay, Jayce McKay, Leo Morales, Zinnia Morales, Ximena Morales, Addison Stafford;
Sisters-in-law, Kathy Egan,
Patty Kummet and her husband, Jon;
Many other relatives and friends.
Tom is preceded in death by his Parents, James and Bessie Stafford; Sister, Nora Stafford; Parents-in-law, Philip and Agnes Egan; Brother-in-law, Jim Egan; Half-brothers, Albert Stafford, Lyman Stafford, Ceward Farmer, and Donald Farmer; Half-sisters, Lora Hanke, Lulu Bristol, Elva Carter, Kathryn Bartels, Wilma Moreman, Mary Anders, Maxine Richards.
Donna(Ondracek)Engelen says
My sympathies to the entire Stafford family.
Judy Suess says
Delores, Sue, Karen, Joe, Tom and family: So sorry for your loss. Thinking of all of you during this difficult time. Stay strong and God be with you. Larry and Judy
Bob Farmer says
Thank you Tom for everything you’ve done us over the years. No one could ask for a better Uncle. You will be sadly missed and forever remembered. Rest In Peace
Rick+Karl says
Sending heartfelt sympathy and prayers. I enjoyed working with Tom at our Deer Hunters events, he was a great guy and fun to work with, I will miss him.
Liese Tilson says
My deepest condolences.
Prayers for peace and comfort.
Mark Johnson says
Tom and Jeanne and entire Stafford family. Dad called me and told me the sad news. Our sympathy to all of you.
Mark and Bonnie johnson.
Karl and Julie Townsend says
Our sympathies to the entire Stafford family. We enjoyed working with Tom at 3M. We also enjoyed seeing him at our farm.
Harvey and Alice Kemper says
Dolores and family, our very deepest sympathy with your loss. Many good memories working with Tom on deer hunters banquets and visiting with both of you over time.
Harry+&+Kathy+Berghuis says
Sending our sympathies.
Janet+(Beich)+Hall says
So very sorry for your loss, thoughts, prayers and sympathies.
Jeff Carroll says
Tom,
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Jeff Carroll
Linda Kingkade says
Dear Tom, Jeanne, Karen & Jim,
Very sorry you’ve lost your Dad. Let your warm memories and strength in family bonds help ease your grief.
I’ll be with you in thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Linda Kingkade
Laamy says
I am so sorry for your loss! Prayers of comfort for the family.
Jeanene H. Doran says
The Litchfield High School Class of 1952 has lost another of it’s members, Thomas(Tom, Tommy) Stafford. We remember him as a rather shy fellow, who played baseball and helped with the concessions at school events. When we were seated alphabetically, Tommy Stafford was always seated near me, Jeanie(Jeanene) Shoultz; we even share the same birthday, May 20, 1934, something I never knew until reading his life story. The class of 1952 will be meeting this summer to celebrate its 70 year reunion, at which time we will remember Thomas and our other classmates who have left us. His life was a good one, filled with the joys and sorrows. Our prayers are with his family and friends as we remember our loved ones and look forward to the time when we will all enjoy our heavenly life together.
Jeanene(Jeanie Shoultz) Doran, Secretary, LHS Class of 1952