John Landon Stafford

Funeral services for Mr. John Landon Stafford,103, Cookeville, Tennessee formerly of Detroit Michigan, will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 19, 2025  at Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home in Gainesboro, Tennessee. Burial will follow in Rob Draper Memorial Cemetery in the Stone community of Jackson County, Tennessee with military honors being conducted by Cookeville / Putnam County Honor Guard.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home, Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 3 pm to 7 pm and Monday, May 19, 2025, 10 am to 11 am.  Funeral services will be conducted at 11 am on Monday, May 19, 2025.

Mr. Stafford passed away on Thursday morning, May 15, 2025 at his residence in Cookeville. He was born April 15, 1922 in the community of Free State, Gainesboro, Jackson County to the late Comer Edward Stafford and Earsie Ann Patterson Stafford. On July 13, 1946, he married the love of his life Julia Doris Rhoten Stafford. They were married for 73 years before her passing on Sept 23, 2019.

John attended the Pippen Church of Christ in Cookeville. He believed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God.

John was a decorated WW11 veteran serving in the US Navy on board the Destroyer USS Dyson (DD-572). He earned the rank of Ship Cook 3 rd class. During times of battle, he was assigned to a 20 mm anti-aircraft gun. The USS Dyson was part of the historic Destroyer Squadron 23 and commanded by legendary Commodore Arleigh Burke who would go on to serve as Admiral for the US Navy under Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy. While patrolling the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean Squadron 23 would go on to defeat the Japanese Navy in many famous battles including the “Battle of Empress Augusta Bay” and the “Battle of Cape St. George” where the six destroyers of squadron 23 engaged six Japanese destroyers and sank 3 with no losses to the US Navy. Between Nov. 1943 and Feb.1944 Squadron 23 was credited with destroying one Japanese cruiser, nine destroyers, one submarine and approximately 30 aircraft. John’s decorations include the US Presidential Unit Citation, American Campaign Medal with 11 Battle Stars, Asiatic Pacific Campaign, World War 11 Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service with Asian Clasp, the Philippine Liberation

Medal with two Battle Stars, Philippine Presidential Citation and the Good Conduct Medal. John worked at the Chevrolet Spring and Bumper plant in Livonia Michigan as a Solution Attendant in the plating department, retiring after 33 years of service. He never met a stranger, loved Merle Haggard, Vince Gill, bluegrass music, dogs, honey bees, nature and being surrounded by family and friends. Up until his passing he maintained a sense of humor with a belly laugh that one could hear from across the room. Nothing made him happier than having a shovel or a rake in his hands, he loved his home and took pride in his yard, flowers and landscaping. In his younger years he loved bird hunting and restoring old classic Corvettes.

Mr. Stafford was dearly loved by his hometown of Cookeville Tn. On July 4, 2016 on the steps of the Cookeville courthouse Mayor Ricky Shelton honored Mr. Stafford’s Military Service and presented him with all of the Military Medals in which he was entitled. Most recently on his 103-birthday he was surrounded by friends, family and Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter while presented the “Quilt of Valor” from the Upper Cumberland Quilts of Valor Foundation.

In addition to his parents and wife Julia he was preceded in death by his four younger brothers, Joe Stafford, Comer Stafford, Billy Stafford & Jimmy Stafford.

Survivors include two sons, Gary Paul (Brenda) Stafford of Monterey, Tennessee, and Ronald Lee (Deborah) Stafford of Cape Coral Florida; two grandchildren, Nicole Strachan and Jaime (Gui) Lopes; one great-granddaughter, Aurora Strachan and sister-in-law, Katherine Stafford.

Memorial donations may be made to (WCN) Wildlife Conservation Network https://donate.wildnet.org/ or by contacting the funeral home.

Bro. Jimmy Anderson will officiate the services. and the graveside service will be led by Pastor Glen Davenport.

Anderson - Upper Cumberland Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, 931-268-1550