Atoka Co., OK - Obits: Donald Gordon Stanford ***************************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb by: Shelley Lynch USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ***************************************************** Atoka Co., OK Donald Gordon Stanford left this earthly plane to return to the arms of Love on October 12, 2006. He was born January 6, 1919 in Lehigh, OK and spent much of his growing up years in Henrietta (Henryetta ?) . His parents were Dora Harwood and Grady Stanford. He graduated from high school in Henrietta (Henryetta ?), but stayed behind one extra year so he could play his beloved football. He was also an avid basketball player all of his life - as his grandson says, a stand-out athlete. Following graduation from high school, he became a medic and was a soldier during World War II. He married Ada Mae who preceded him in death in 1976, and met his second wife while attending a singles dance club. He married Virginia Greenwood who also preceded him in death in 2003. He had one child, Linda Kay Stanford who tells wonderful stories about how her father loved to go fishing. He was an avid fisherman, although didn't like to cook and clean fish, so always had funny ways of getting other people to do it for him. He took Robert, his only grandson and Linda's only child, to his first OU game when he was eight years old. He was a wonderful role model and father figure for Rob. Rob gave his father Chelsea Jade Stanford as a great grandchild, and just before he died, Rob, who is now married to Julie Ellen Stanford, had a second great grandchild, Ainsley Ellen Stanford. Donald worked in the grocery industry for many years with his first wife Ada Mae. They had a small mom and pop grocery store. Linda used to play there with the adding machine as a child and grew to love numbers and now tutors math. Donald was also a member of the Fraternal Order of the Masons. A graveside service will be held at Memorial Cemetery in Oklahoma City on Monday, October 16 at 2:00 pm. He was deeply loved and will be sorely missed by his family. They are grateful for being part of his life and know that he is wrapped in the arms of his Father. Published in The Oklahoman on 10/16/2006.