Gordon O. Stafford, M.D.

Gordon O. Stafford, M.D. passed away on June 28, 2012. He was born March 19, 1925 in Ludowici, Georgia to George Dunham Stafford and Rosa Maulden Stafford. As a young boy he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was a life-long Baptist. He graduated from Ludowici High School and then enlisted in the United States Navy, serving in the Submarine Service in both World War II and the Korean War. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas and a Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Following his internship at Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, Georgia he practiced Family Medicine in Marietta until he moved to San Antonio in December, 1968. After a residency in anesthesiology at UTHSC, he was a clinical instructor in the Department of Anesthesiology there. In 1973 he joined Anesthesiology Affiliates, P.A. and was in private practice until his retirement in July, 1987. Dr. Stafford was certified by both the American College of Anesthesiologists and the American Board of Anesthesiology. He was a member of the Bexar County Medical Society, the Texas Medical Society, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, Texas Society of Anesthesiologists, and San Antonio Anesthesiologists. A member of Oak Hills Country Club for many years, he was an avid golfer, making two holes in one and shooting his age when he was 73. He also enjoyed hunting and loved to read, especially military history. Dr. Stafford was preceded in death by his brothers Jay and Henry Stafford and his sisters Mary Howard and Edna Hennemann. He is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Marlene Burg Stafford. He is also survived by daughter Leaette Sosenka and husband Roy, son Gordon O. Stafford, Jr. and wife Veronica, of Charlotte, North Carolina, son Jeffrey Stafford, and daughter Stephanie Eli and husband Jack. Other survivors include grandsons Sean Sosenka of Waco, Texas, and Linden Eli, step granddaughter Christine Satterfield and husband Daniel, and step great grandsons Nathen Bonilla and Jayden Satterfield. Also surviving are brother Roland Stafford of Blackshear, Georgia and sisters Clarice Horne of Ludowici, Georgia and Jane Wright and husband J.B. of Jacksonville, Florida. He also is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Monday, July 9 at Sunset Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 12 p.m. Tuesday, July 10 at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel, Dr. Neil Bennett officiating. Pall Bearers will be Sean Sosenka, Roy Sosenka, George Stafford, Tom Stafford, Marvin McKelvey and Gary McKelvey. Interment will be at 1:30 p.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Admiral Nimitz Foundation, PO Box 1188, Fredericksburg, TX 78624-1188 or charity of one’s choice.