George Henry Stanford Jr., 83

George Henry Stanford, Jr., 83, of Cole Camp, died Sunday, January 12, 2014, at Bothwell Regional Health Center, Sedalia.  He was born on October 11, 1930, at San Francisco, California, a son of George H. and Earlva N. (Howell) Stanford, Sr.

At the age of 17, George enlisted in the United States Navy and retired at the age of 43 achieving the rank of Lt. Commander.  He was stationed all over the world beginning with his enlistment in San Francisco, CA, on March 22, 1948.  Stations of duty include Yokosuka, Japan; Skaggs Island, CA; Adak, AK; the sixth fleet on the USS Salem CA148 and the USS Des Moines CA 134; Imperial Beach, CA; Pensacola, FL; Iceland; Washington DC; the Philippine Islands; ending his Naval career on October 1, 1973, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The family then moved to Cole Camp, Missouri, where George raised cattle and other animals until 1987 when he decided to really retire.  Since then he has enjoyed his grandchildren and traveling with his wife, Shirley.  George and Shirley Parrish were married on July 12, 1952, in San Pablo, CA.  This union was blessed with the gift of four children:  Robin, Michele, Kirk, and Kimberley.

Besides his wife, he is survived by:
three daughters, Robin Tremallo and her husband Alan of San Antonio, TX, Michele Thompson and her husband Robert of Lee's Summit, and Kimberley Stanford of Cole Camp;
one son, Kirk Stanford and his wife Tara of Lee's Summit;
nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial services will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 15, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church, Cole Camp, with Pastor Michael Cassidy officiating.  Committal services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, January 17, 2014, at the Missouri State Veteran's Cemetery, Higginsville.

The family will receive friends from 6 - 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be given to the Wounded Warrior Project in care of the Fox Funeral Home, Cole Camp.