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Robert "Bob" Charles Stafford, age 65 of Albuquerque, Closed his eyes here on earth and opened them in Heaven Friday September 14, 2007. He fought a courageous battle with cancer for the past five years and during that time he inspired many. He was born on October 26, 1941 in Cle Elum, WA. to William and Vivian Stafford. He married Betty Jo Koury on February 15, 1963 in Albuquerque, NM. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, great-uncle, great-great-uncle and honored friend. Mr. Stafford was the current co-owner and operator of Sadie's of New Mexico for the past 32 years. As an active mason and shriner, his memberships were the Temple Lodge No. 6, AF&AM and served as Worshipful Master in 1988. The Scottish Rite Bodies in Santa Fe, York Rite Bodies in Albuquerque and the Ballut Abyad Shrine where he participated in the Patrol. He also was a member of the Royal Order of Jesters having served as Director in 1990 and 2004. Bob is survived by his wife of 44 years, Betty Jo; sons, William "Billy" R. Stafford and his fiancee, Amanda Rhodus and their daughter, Theron Elizabeth Stafford, Brian C. Stafford and his wife, Veronica (Baca) Stafford and their sons, Nicolas C. and Isaac J. Stafford; his in-laws; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his many devoted employees and his lifelong business manager of 35 years, Toni Minoli who was like a daughter to him. Funeral Mass will be held 9:00 a.m. Wednesday September 19, 2007 at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 9502 Fourth Street NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114, Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. A Masonic Service will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at The Shrine Center, 6600 Zuni Rd. NE. Friends and family are welcome to attend. Visitation with the family will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday September 17, 2007 at French Mortuary Wyoming Chapel. Pallbearers will be John Stueber, Danny Calloway, Ty Young, Paul Arnold, Ben and Ken Northcutt. Honorary Pallbearers Nicolas and Issac Stafford, Nestor Baca, Dennis and Corky Baca, Michael Faris, Frank Faris II and Frank Faris III, Richard Mahboub, James McAtee, James Shull, Paul Cervantes, Daniel Blackwood, James Bernardoni, Michael Fraser, Orvis Creel, Larry German, J.C. Smith, Bill Laswell, Orlando Gutierrez, Don Anderson and many additional masonic and shriner brothers and friends. In Lieu of Flowers memorial contributions may be made in the name of Robert C. Stafford to the American Cancer Society, 10501 Montgomery Blvd. NE Suite 300, Albuquerque, NM 87111 or Shriners-Ballut Abyad, PO Box 8410, Albuquerque, NM 87198 for the Children's Transportation Fund. French Mortuary, Inc. 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400 www.frenchmortuary.com
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