Roger L. Stafford

ROGER STAFFORD (1954-2016)

Roger Stafford age 62 passed away on August 24, 2016 at the Louis Stokes VA Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio from cancer that was recently diagnosed. He was born January 15, 1954 in Waynesburg, PA to William Stafford, Sr. and Johnna Mae Stafford.
He graduated from Lorain High School in 1972. In high school he was a wrestling champion. He entered the Marine Corps where he started amateur boxing. While in the military, he won several award including Marine Corps Lightweight Champion and All Military Service Lightweight Champion. When he was ranked #1 welterweight contender, he was scheduled to fight Sugar Ray Leonard but the fight was cancelled due to Leonard’s detached retina. Roger then went on to fight for the world welterweight championship.
Roger is survived by his mother, Johnna Mae Stafford of Lorain, Ohio; ex-wife Thelma Stafford of Washington, DC; daughter Tiffany Stafford Meritt of Atlanta, GA; brothers: William Stafford, Jr. of Los Angeles, CA, Kelvin Stafford of Lorain, OH, Terrance Stafford of Lorain, OH; sisters Annette Anderson of Elyria, OH, Sandra Abram of Elyria, OH, Andrea Stafford of Lorain, OH, Beverly Stafford of Philadelphia, PA, Yolanda Stafford of Lorain, OH, Twonda Thorpe of Lorain, OH; sister in law Hanane Stafford of Los Angeles, CA; survived also by Lisa Sanchez of Philadelphia, PA; Roger has 10 grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and a multitude of friends.
Preceded in death by his father William Stafford, Sr.; grandmother Laura Mitchell, brother in law Edward Abram and son Koran Sanchez Stafford, and a nephew Cedric D. Anderson.
Roger enjoyed shooting pool, playing cards, going to the casino and spending time with family and friends. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Interment with Military Honors Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at 11:30AM at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery 10175 Rawiga Rd., Rittman, Ohio 44270. PLEASE MEET AT CEMETERY BY 11:15AM.