Harold Eugene Stafford's Obituary
Harold (Hal) Eugene Stafford
died on Monday, Nov. 23, at the
age of 81 in Highland. He was
born in December 1938 in Redlands to James Jehu Stafford
from Gipson, Arkansas, and Oklea Lucille Stafford of Keokuk,
Iowa. (They met in California
and married in 1935.)
Harold married Ruth Alice
Munhall in September 1961.
Harold lived in Highland for 59
years. He believed family and
friends are important so he
spent a lot of time with his father and mother (both deceased); sister Carol and brother-in-law Chet (deceased); sister
Judy and brother-in-law
George; a good friend, Ralph
and with Rena (deceased); Aunt
Gloria and other relatives.
Harold became an ambulance
driver for the U.S. Army from
1961 to 1965 and was honorably
discharged. He was a psychiatric technician at Patton State
Hospital for 28 years and retired in 1984.
Harold is survived by three
daughters and one son ⎯ Lorena, Christina, James and Maria.
He is also survived by six
grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson several nieces and
nephews.
Harold enjoyed road trips
with the family, camping and
exciting fishing trips. Harold
would soak the yard the night
before waking the kids before
sunrise, hand them a flashlight
and say, “Go catch me some
nightcrawlers.”
After asking, “What are
nightcrawlers?” they looked to
the ground and saw an abundance of worms. Harold said,
“Those are nightcrawlers, catch
them.” Then they were headed
to the lake at 4 a.m.
Harold also enjoyed gardening vegetables and fruit and
would say, “If you want some
protein with your veggies grab
a grasshopper or potato bug”
and chuckle.
He like hunting, practiced
shooting, archery, off-roading,
family outing searching for colorful stones to make jewelry,
card games, family barbecues,
table games (chess and checkers), ping pong, pool, playing
the guitar, engine building,
body building and watching
classic and western movies.
For laughs, Harold liked
“Hee Haw,” Benny Hill, “Laugh
In,” and Red Skelton. For quiet
time, he enjoyed reading westerns, true stories, military stories and biblical stories.
He had a big heart for animals.
He liked teaching his skills to
his children and teaching Ruth
how to make biscuits and gravy.
A viewing will be held on Friday, Dec. 4, at Bobbitt Memorial Chapel, 1299 E. Highland
Ave., San Bernardino from 4
p.m. to 5 p.m. for family and
from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. for the public.
What’s your fondest memory of Harold?
What’s a lesson you learned from Harold?
Share a story where Harold's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Harold you’ll never forget.
How did Harold make you smile?
