James D.M. Stafford

Reverend James David Martin Stafford, 88 died on September 7, 2017 in Oklahoma City. Father Stafford was born on December 11, 1928, Oilton, OK to Clay and Abbie Martin Stafford. Father attended Seminole Public Schools, Elementary and High School, received his B.A. from the University of Oklahoma, his M.T.A. at the University of Tulsa and attended Assumption Seminary, San Antonio. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 1961 at Holy Family Cathedral, Tulsa, OK. He was a Colonel in the U.S. Army, Fourth Infantry Regiment, and received the National Defense Services Medal. Father Stafford devoted 47 years in active ministry to the people of Oklahoma, serving as Assistant Pastor, Immaculate Conception, OKC; Associate Pastor, Saint Francis Xavier, Enid; Chaplain at Enid State School, St. Ann's Home, OKC; Chaplain, Counselor and Teacher, Bishop Kelley High School, Tulsa; Administrator, Saint Andrew Church, Haskell; teaching position at Edison High School, Tulsa; Associate Pastor, Saint William Church, Los Altos, CA; Associate Pastor, Saint Patrick Church, OKC; Pastor, Saint Barbara/Holy Family, Lawton and mission, Saint Patrick, Walters, OK; and Pastor, Blessed Sacrament, Lawton. In addition to his pastoral assignments, he served on the Worship Commission, Building Committee, Council of Priests, Seminary Board, Archdiocesan Chaplain of the Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima and as a Regional Vicar. Father Stafford retired in 2008. Father Stafford is preceded in death by his parents. A Vigil service will be held at 5 pm on Sunday, September 10, 2017 at The Saint Francis de Sales Chapel at the Catholic Pastoral Center, 7501 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Mass of Christian Burial will also be celebrated at the Saint Francis de Sales Chapel at the Catholic Pastoral Center on Monday, September 11, 2017 at 11 am with interment immediately following at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery, 7801 N.W. Expressway, Oklahoma City. Memorial gifts may be made to Catholic Charities of Oklahoma City, 1232 North Classen Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73106.