David Stratford

David Stratford, beloved husband of Judy, loving father to Heather Ellison (Bill) and Heidi Rosen (Craig), passed away on February 2, 2025, at the age of 79. Born on January 15, 1946, in Roseburg, Oregon, David was the third of five children to Earl Victor and Laverne Stratford. His life was forever shaped by a tragic event at the age of 6, when he witnessed the accidental death of his father while on a birthday trip in his father’s logging truck. Despite the hardships that followed, including his mother raising five children on her own, David grew up to be a hardworking and resilient man. The family moved to Tucson, Arizona, where David completed his schooling and graduated from Rincon High School. While in junior high and high school, David worked several jobs, attending school in the early mornings and working from noon until late evening. After graduating, he apprenticed in the painting industry and became a journeyman painter.

David met the love of his life, Judy, in 1970 and proposed on Christmas Day in 1971. They married on April 1, 1972, and together they raised two daughters, Heather and Heidi. In 1973, David and Judy moved to Phoenix, where David worked for a few years with a large commercial painting company before starting his own business, PAINT-CO, a Division of Stratford Painting, Inc. in 1975. For 38 years, David ran his successful business, overseeing notable projects such as Tempe Diablo Stadium, Peoria Sports Complex, Florence Prison, Palo Verde Nuclear Power Station, and Casino del Sol in Tucson. Outside of his work, David was known as "The Mayor" wherever he lived, always taking the time to meet and converse with his neighbors. His interests were varied—he enjoyed bird and duck hunting, fishing, putting jigsaw puzzles together with Judy, and working on his beloved 1956 Ford truck, which he had been restoring since before 1970. David was also an accomplished craftsman, building sheds, barbecues, and even laying all the brick in their backyard, including hand-digging a large goldfish pond—twice. David's love for his family was unwavering. He adored his sons-in-law, Bill and Craig, and treated them as his own sons, with their love for him being equally strong. When his grandchildren, Kyle Ellison, Spencer Rosen, and Ashleigh Rosen, came into his life, David could not wait to share his hobbies with them—whether fishing, hunting, or working on puzzles. He spent countless hours with his grandchildren, creating lasting memories.

David was a constant source of love and support to his wife, Judy. He never failed to tell her "I love you" multiple times each day, and always kissed her before leaving and upon returning home. David is predeceased by his parents, Earl Victor and Laverne, and his baby brother, William. He is survived by his wife, daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and his siblings: brothers Tom and Joe, and sisters Suzanne and Laurel Becker. He is also survived by his nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law, who were all touched by his kindness and presence in their lives. David will always be remembered as the love of Judy’s life, her steady rock, her voice of reason, and the one who gave the best hugs. He was, and will always be, her much better half—her guy.

A Service of Remembrance will be held on Monday, February 17, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at All Saints Lutheran Church, located at 15649 North 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85022. We invite you to join us in commemorating his remarkable life and the legacy he leaves behind. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ducks Unlimited at https://www.ducks.org/get-involved/memorial-giving or a charity of your choice.