Michael Gordon Stafford

Michael Gordon Stafford, 74, of Alexandria, VA, passed peaceably on Saturday, January 16, 2022, at INOVA Fairfax Hospital. He is survived by his beloved wife Joanna Adamus Stafford; sons Donald and his wife Tammy, Houston, TX and Robert and his wife Stacey, Orlando FL; brother Kenneth and his wife Candy, Dallas TX; four grandchildren and two great grandchildren; as well as numerous cousins and friends. He is preceded in death by his infant son Thomas, Waynesboro, PA; and brother, Donnie, Dallas, TX. His parents M.I. Stafford and Eva Upchurch Stafford are deceased. Michael was born in Chicago, IL in 1947. Mr. Stafford retired as Deputy Project Director, of the U.S. Army's Reserve Component Automation System, PEO EIS. Since 1991, he held various positions with the program including Technical Director and Chief, Engineering Support Division. With his keen analytic ability, he maintain the program on the cutting-edge of automation system supporting the military force. He also served as Chief, Project Management Policy Section of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) where he was responsible for development of a Project Management Guide that was used throughout the IRS. In private industry, he served for three years as Project Manager for Technology Applications, Inc., where he managed approximately 100 employees that supported the U.S. Army's World Wide Military Command and Control System Program Management Office. He retired from the Army as a Master Sergeant after twenty years of service. During his Army career he had numerous assignments in the IT arena that included telecommunications, hardware engineering, software development, systems design and Program Management. Mr. Stafford has received numerous awards including the Superior Civilian Service Award and the Army's Legion of Merit and Meritorious Service Medals. Mr. Stafford received an Associate of Sciences Degree from Regents College of New York. A Gold Life Master in The American Contract Bridge League, Mr. Stafford traveled often to Germany for tournaments and continued his participation on-line during the COVID restrictions. He belonged to several golfing groups including North Shore, NC, Westfield Golf Club, the Herndon Centennial Golf Association in VA, and developed his talent in wood crafting upon retirement. Family will be receiving friends on February 4, 2022, 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. with a Celebration of Life at Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington Street, Alexandria VA. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Disabled American Veterans. dav.orgFamily will be receiving friends on February 4, 2022, 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. with a Celebration of Life at Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington Street, Alexandria VA. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Disabled American Veterans. dav.org Published by The Washington Post on Jan. 30, 2022.