by Jack Stafford Death, Obituary – On Wednesday, January 11, 2023, Jack D. Stafford, who was 86 years old and lived in Princeton, West Virginia, passed away while his family was by his side. Jack was born in Princeton, West Virginia on April 19th, 1936. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Carol B. Stafford; his children, Staci Thomas (Tripper) of Bluefield, West Virginia, John Stafford (JoAnne) of Ghent, West Virginia, and daughter Susan also of Ghent, West Virginia; three grandchildren, Caroline Borden Samples (Caleb) of Hurricane, West Virginia, Drew Stafford and Noah Stafford of Ghent, West Virginia; and his brother William P.
Stafford of Princeton, West Virginia. His mother and father, Mr. and Ms. E.L. Stafford, as well as his brother, G. Michael Stafford, and sister, Phyllis Stafford, all passed away before him. Jack received a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and physics from Concord University in 1959, a bachelor of engineering degree from North Carolina State University in 1959, and he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Jack graduated from Princeton High School in 1954.
Research and Development Engineer at Celanese Corporation, Chief of Quality Assurance and Engineering at the West Virginia State Road Commission, North American Aviation Assistant Commissioner at the West Virginia State Road Commission, Vice President of Gates Engineering Company in Beckley, West Virginia, Founder of Stafford Consultants Inc., where he served as Chairman, President, and CEO until his retirement in 2004, and Vice President of Gates Engineering Company in Beckley, West Virginia. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Princeton, West Virginia for his entire life.
In addition, he was a member of the Rotary Club in Princeton, West Virginia, where he was President from 1988 to 1989, Rotarian of the Year, and a Paul Harris Fellow. In the past, he has been on the Advisory boards of Concord University and Bluefield State University. Additionally, he has served on the Advisory board of the school of Engineering at West Virginia University.
