Norman Lee Stafford, 96, passed away on June 13, 2026. He was born on December 7, 1929, at his family home in Arkansas City, Kansas. He was the youngest son in a family of nine children and grew up surrounded by the values of hard work and perseverance.

Norm graduated from Arkansas City High School in 1947. During the Korean War, he proudly served his country as corpsman in United States Air Force. Following his military service, he attended the University of Tulsa, graduating in 1959 with a degree in Geophysics.

Norm devoted much of his professional life to the exploration and discovery of oil reserves throughout the world. One of the greatest adventures of his career was working for Skelly Oil serving as the company's representative in Anchorage, Alaska. He embraced the opportunity to experience the Last Frontier and explored the state with enthusiasm, curiosity, and deep appreciation for its beauty. Late in his career, he worked as a hydrogeologist, helping to remediate environmental impacts from oil exploration and production.

Norm was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 56 years, Patricia Ann Stafford and his daughter, Linda Lee.

He is survived by daughter, Becky Benton and her husband, Randy; son, Andrew Stafford; grandchildren, Drew Benton, Shane Benton, Hannah Stafford, and Hayden Stafford and his wife, Kyla. He also leaves behind many extended family members, including Mike Cassady, and many friends who will cherish his memory.

Norm will be remembered as the life of the party, a man whose home was always open and welcoming to family and friends. He had a quick wit, a wicked sense of humor, and a gift for making people feel at home.

His legacy lives on through the family he loved, the friendships he nurtured, and the many memories he created over a life well lived.

Memorial Services will be held Saturday, June 20, 2:30 p.m. at Mercer-Adams Funeral Service Chapel.