Clarence "Chuck" Stafford Jr.

Chuck was an elder of the Sault Saint Marie Tribe of the Chippewa Indians. He was very proud of his indigenous heritage. He was a lifelong resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana. After attending Southside High School, he worked as a forklift driver at various manufacturing companies, including International Harvester. Chuck craved the outdoors and working with his hands, and eventually became a roofer, owning his own company. Unfortunately, he contracted an aggressive form of Basal Cell Carcinoma, which contributed to his passing.

Chuck loved hunting, fishing, and gardening (both vegetables and flowers). There was nothing Chuck couldn’t fix. From the roof to the foundation, he could repair or build anything! As his health declined, he became an ardent news-buff and he loved to debate his sister on current political events. Chuck also loved watching old westerns.

Chuck is survived by his mother and caregiver, Joyce Grider Stafford; his sisters, Carla Stafford and Chris Parker; his daughter, Malisa Gillman; and son-in-law, Gideon Gillman. He is preceded in death by his father, Clarence Stafford Sr.; grandparents, Nellie and Paul Grider, Mae and Tom Stafford; and his faithful 4-legged companion, Buck.

A funeral service will be held at 4:00 pm on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at D.O. McComb and Sons Maplewood Park Funeral Home, 4017 Maplecrest Road, Fort Wayne, with a visitation beginning at 2:00 pm, two hours prior to the service. He will be laid to rest with a private, family service at Concordia Cemetery Gardens, Fort Wayne.

Memorial donations in his honor may be directed to the Parkview Transformative Cancer Care Fund (TCCF). Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for Chuck's family may be shared at www.McCombandSons.com.

Chuck's family would like to extend a heartfelt Thank You to Parkview Cancer Institute, Dr. Zhang and staff, and Dr. McCollom and staff. You have touched Chuck’s life, you have touched ours as well!