Wayne W. Stafford

Wayne W. Stafford, 76, of Kennesaw passed away peacefully Friday, December 19, 2014, at Wellstar Tranquility Hospice, due to complications from esophageal cancer. Wayne was born on August 5th, 1938 in Bedford, OH, to Park and Thelma Stafford. He was bright and curious and loved to play sports. In high school Wayne was on the Football, Basketball, and Track Teams and scored A’s in all his subjects. He graduated from Burton High School and attended classes at what is now Case Western Reserve University before enlisting in the Ohio National Guard. In the National Guard, Wayne served as a Nike missile radar technician. Because Wayne served during the Cold War and the US military could not let their guard down, the radar could not be shut down for any reason. This meant working on live 200,000 volt power systems almost 200 feet in the air. In late 1961 he was called to active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis and remained active on and off for several years. Wayne married Dorothy Mae Reid on March 17, 1962 in Montville, OH, a marriage which lasted for 52 years. In 1965 just after his honorable discharge from the Army, Wayne went to an interview with IBM. His test scores so impressed the IBM recruiter he was hired on the spot. He worked for IBM for 32 years as a service engineer and computer programmer, and helped in the development of the IBM PC, the first personal computer. Wayne grew up in Ohio, but became a Georgia resident in 1980. He was a loving husband and father, always supporting his family in their work and activities. He faithfully attended Center Congregational Church in Atlanta, and held the position of Lay Pastor at the church. Wayne was a gifted woodworking craftsman and loved to surprise his children and grandchildren with hand-crafted wooden keepsakes such as pens, ornaments, and puzzles. He served for 20 years as a volunteer at the Peachtree Road Race, the last 10 as a crew chief. He also volunteered through the years at a number of other events, including the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the PGA tour event at Eastlake, and various other sporting events and local festivals. Wayne decided that retirement was boring and was just starting to look for a new job, when Walmart bought the property next door to his house. Wayne took Walmart to court and obtained concessions to make them a good neighbor. The store manager was so impressed with Wayne’s tenacity that he hired him. In his mid-sixties Wayne chose to work in the garden center where he routinely loaded 150lb gas grills on upper shelves by hand, and later used his mechanical skills to assemble bicycles. Wayne worked at Walmart for nearly a decade until another opportunity came along at a local fitness club. Wayne worked out so early every morning that the manager actually offered him a job opening the place. At 76 he could still bench-press over 200 pounds and run several miles. Wayne worked at LifeQuest Fitness club in Acworth up until his cancer diagnosis. Wayne is survived by his wife Dorothy; his daughter, Amy Stafford and husband, Art Johnson; son, Lance Stafford and wife, Beth; daughter, Karen Osborne; granddaughter, Stephanie Osborne and husband, Robbie Diaz; grandchildren, Christi Osborne, Delaney Johnson, Jarrett Johnson, Jordan Stafford, and Parker Stafford; and great-grandson, Alex Osborne; sister, Christine Glassburner of Burton, OH; sister, Arlene Whiting of Middlefield, OH; sister, Caroline Adams and husband, Bill of Fairview, PA; brother, Park Stafford and wife, Carol of East Claridon, OH. Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, Park and Thelma Stafford, and his son-in-law, Steve Osborne. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, December 29, 2014 at 2:00pm at Community Bible Church, 200 Chastain Rd., Kennesaw, GA. The service will be officiated by Reverend J.R. McAliley III from Center Congregational Church. A reception will follow the service. Flowers can be sent to Community Bible Church, c/o Jo Ann Veteto (Church Secretary), 200 Chastain Rd., Kennesaw GA 30152, (404) 245-1430. Mr. Stafford was a strong supporter of church missions, especially those involving children. Contributions may be made in loving memory of Mr. Stafford to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607-3000.

Wayne W. Stafford

August 5, 1938 - December 19, 2014