John was born to William Burton Stauffer and Aline Spikes Stauffer on February 9, 1925, in Mobile, Alabama. He attended Murphy High School until he turned 18 and immediately signed up to join the United States Marine Corps during WWII. John served as a Radio Field Operator for the First Marine Division, 4th Defense Battalion, in the Pacific Theater. He was initially stationed at Guadalcanal and saw action in the Battle of Peleliu in September of 1944. John then participated in the invasion of Okinawa and Ryukyu, where the United States secured Japanese territory that would aid in winning the war. He was honorably released from duty on December 4, 1945, from Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
Upon John’s return to Mobile, he visited Murphy High School to inquire about receiving his high school diploma. He was told he was lacking one credit – PE – and was denied the certificate. An administrator at the time stepped in on John’s behalf and John was admitted to Murphy High School’s graduating class of 1943.
John married his wife, Billie Stauffer, in October of 1947. He worked for South Central Bell Telephone Company for over 37 years in Mobile, before retiring and moving to Fairhope, Alabama. Along with his heroism and strong work ethic, John was a jack of all trades. He was a master carpenter, mechanic, Mr. Fix-It, and jokester. John had an amazing sense of humor and an enthusiastic soul. He was an amazing father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather. John’s family will continue to be a testament to his legacy, but he will be greatly missed.
Left to cherish John’s memories are his children, John Keith Stauffer (Darlene), Paula Stauffer Dickinson, and Susan Stauffer Hahn (Bryan); grandchildren, Catherine Elizabeth Warren (Robert), Carmen Stauffer Miller (Wayne), John Michael Dickinson (Tiffany), James Keith Dickinson (Elizabeth), Benjamin Jared Hahn (Amber), and Bridgette Eileen Copple (Kenneth); seven great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; as well as a host of other cherished family and friends.
Visitation for John will be held on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Pine Crest Funeral Home on Dauphin Island Parkway in Mobile, with a chapel service immediately following. Interment will be in Pine Crest Cemetery.
Acting as pallbearers will be Benjamin Hahn, James Keith Dickinson, Robert Warren, John Michael Dickinson, Hunter Michael Dickinson, and Eric Warren with alternates being Kenneth Copple and Liam Dickinson.
