Donald L. Stanford
Obituaries
Steamboat Today - November 5, 2006
Donald L. Stanford of San Antonio, Texas, died Oct. 29, 2006, after a long battle with lung cancer. He was 65.
Don was born June 13, 1941, in Coleman, Texas, to D.L. and Edith Stanford. He spent much of his youth in California and graduated from Livingston High School in Livingston, Calif., in 1959.
After high school, he entered the U.S. Navy. He served 23 years, including two tours in Vietnam. He achieved the rank of senior chief. He was a journalist and was the public affairs officer at Naval Air Station Kingsville in Kingsville, Texas, when he retired in 1982. After the U.S. Navy, he returned to school, earning bachelor's and master's degrees from Texas A&I University in Kingsville. He taught school in Robstown, Texas, and Weslaco, Texas, before retiring full time to San Antonio.
He was an avid craftsman and photographer. He enjoyed tinkering in his garage with riding lawnmowers and motorcycles and taking trips to California and Oregon to visit friends and relatives.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, D.L. and Edith Stanford, in 1969.
He is survived by his longtime companion, Carolyn Schneider of San Antonio; four children, Scott Stanford and his wife, Kelly, of Steamboat Springs, Laura Smith and her husband, Andy, of Grand Junction, Tracey Forehand and Courtney Parker, both of Elgin, S.C.; two sisters, Sally Hibdon and her husband, Albert, of Siletz, Ore., and Betty Pointer of Redding, Calif.; one brother, Bill Stanford and his wife, Janice, of Waterford, Calif.; seven grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
It was Don's wish that he be cremated. No services are planned. Ortiz Funeral Home of San Antonio is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial donations should be directed to the American Lung Association, 61 Broadway, New York, NY, 10006, or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.
