Gordon L. Stafford

Gordon Stafford ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Hitesman-Holdship Funeral Home on Mar. 9, 2026.Boon - Gordon Linn Stafford, 77, of Boon, Michigan, passed away Sunday, March 8, 2026. He went home to be with his Lord and Savior.He was born May 14, 1948, in Lansing, Michigan, to Gordon and Lila (Morris) Stafford. Gordan proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from 1971-1972. He moved to the Cadillac area in 1978. On June 30, 2001, he married Deborah Lynn Berndt. Gordon was the Founder of the Blessing of the Jeeps, which originated from the Boon Baptist Church in 2001. What began as a 45-jeep trail ride grew into a major annual event, in Mesick, Michigan, hosting thousands of participants each year. He was also an active member of Resurrection Life Church of Cadillac.Gordon is survived by his wife, Deborah; daughters Jennifer (Alan Franklin) Stafford and Amy (Jeremy Nobach) Stafford from a previous marriage; daughters Melissa (Steve) Hocking and Lisa (Justin) Lucas; grandchildren Ryan Busch, Joshua Stafford, Shelby (Davontae) Madden, Gaberial Helmer, Lylla Helmer, Katelynne Helmer, Alana Lucas, Jeremiah Lucas, Doro Hocking, Gideon Lucas and two great-granddaughters. He is also survived by his nephews Harold "Chip" (Julie) Stafford and Bradley (Amanda) Stafford, and Jodi Person and her children, Tyler and Morgan. He is preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Lila Stafford; brother, Harold Stafford; sister, Carol Person; and nephew, Chad Person.A Celebration of Life will be held at Resurrection Life Church in Cadillac, next Saturday on March 21st at 11:00am with visitation one hour prior. His legacy will live on through the thousands of lives touched in the community brought together each year through the Blessing of the Jeeps.In Lieu of Flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Veterans Serving Veterans Park in honor of Gordon's commitment to Veterans and his community located at 3740 41 Rd, Cadillac, MI 49601.Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.Hitesman-Holdship.comThe family is being served by the Hitesman-Holdship Funeral Home.To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gordon L. Stafford, please visit our floral store.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.