Chairman of the Board Guided Cordova Community with Simple and Straight-forward Leadership

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Larry Eugene Stafford, dedicated family man, of the Christian faith and Rancho Cordova community leader, died Aug. 5, 2020 following a short illness. He was 70.

Born in Sacramento on Aug. 30, 1949, to Arthur and Jacqueline Stafford, Larry led a life filled with family, building projects, world travel and faith in God. Along the way he led efforts which earned him the respect and love of the Rancho Cordova community.

As chairman of the board of the Cordova Community Council Foundation for more than a decade, Larry presided over massive growth of the organization, steering the group to greater heights with simple and straight-forward leadership. He accompanied the 2010 Rancho Cordova All America City team into competition, helping bring home national honors to the community of which he was so proud.

He served as chairman of the Cordova Community Christmas Tree Lighting in Rancho Cordova almost from its inception 20 years ago, pairing his love of the community with celebration of the birth of Christ. To support the tree lighting, he hosted a spaghetti fundraiser each year on Labor Day weekend which drew together hundreds of Cordova Church of Christ members and community residents.

Through his service as Outreach Pastor at Cordova Church of Christ, he led church members to all corners of the community to assist with Spirit of Service projects. They were a welcome sight when they appeared to build a park at Cordova Meadows School, fix up fields for Cordova Girls Softball, paint picnic tables in public parks, and pick up roadside trash. After observing youngsters headed to school each morning, they opened the doors and invited them in for pancakes and a listening ear.

Larry was a fixture at Kids Day in the Park, and the Rancho Cordova Fourth of July. Along the Fourth of July Parade route he and fellow church members distributed thousands of bottles of water over the years, helping happy celebrators survive the heat of the day to enjoy the festivities.

Cookies for Cops, Cordova Christian Camp, Father’s Day BBQ, an annual spaghetti feed honoring Rancho Cordova teachers, Reading In Schools, HART winter shelter for homeless, Shasta Men’s Retreat, Harvest Celebration, Bible Times Marketplace, repairs at the Mobile Country Club Park, and repairing code enforcement violations for disabled residents all occurred because Larry Stafford led the way.

In his professional life, Larry enjoyed diverse pursuits. He spent part of his working career as an agricultural aviator and 25 years as a landscape contractor. For the past 25 years his many interests and love of God came together as he served as Associate Pastor at Cordova Church of Christ. During his tenure, he mentored new ministers, taught Bible studies, and led practical ministries, including His Needs/Her Needs. He provided pre-marital counseling for many couples, presided at several weddings, and provided marriage counseling. He excelled at evangelism and baptized over 100 individuals during his ministry.

A personable and loyal friend, widely known for a sharp wit and engaging sense of humor, Larry loved a good glass of wine, sharing time and stories with friends, traveling throughout the United States and Europe, and cooking. He was a hard-core Raiders fan.

While living a life full of the richness of friends, Larry’s life was blessed by loving family. He is survived by the love of his life and best friend Cynthia Marie Stafford of Rancho Cordova, to whom he was married for 35 years. He is also survived by his daughters, Cari Sheldon, Cynthia Balicita, Michelle Cader-Laney; and son Larry and daughter-in-law, Melanie. One of the greatest joys of Larry’s life was his grandchildren: Cassie Stafford, Timothy McKenzie, Marissa Bowers, McKenna Cader and great-granddaughters Gabriella and Chrissa Bowers.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Jacqueline; and his brothers, Jim Hammer and “Butch” Stafford.

Memorial donations may be made to advance the remodeling of the church kitchen Larry used so effectively to minister to his church family and Rancho Cordova community: Cordova Church of Christ "Kitchen Fund," 10577 Coloma Rd, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670.