Don Thomas Stanford
Memorial Service for Don Thomas Stanford, 82 of Decatur was held Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at 1:00 PM at Central Baptist Church with Bro. Mike Dawson, Bro. Bryan Blass, and Bro. Phil Waldrep. He passed away Friday, July 12, 2024, at his residence. Don Stanford was born in Decatur, AL in 1941 and lived his entire life there. Don married his bride, Carolyn McAlister in 1966. Don was loved by his family, church and community. He served the community as the Postmaster in Danville and Trinity as an athletic official, Mayor of Decatur and worked in the church nursery for more than 20 years. Don’s sports officiating career spanned 50 years. He officiated 50 Alabama High School Athletic Association state finals in basketball and state finals in football. His officiating career included basketball, softball, football, track and volleyball on the high school and college level. He officiated Amateur Softball Association games for 35 years and Dixie Youth Baseball for 12 years. He had a warm smile and huge laugh that brightened the room. He loved the Lord and followed Him faithfully. If he knew you, he loved you; but if he teased you, he loved you a lot. He was inducted in the Morgan County Sports Hall of Fame and the Alabama Officials Sports Hall of Fame, but his greatest claim to fame was the way he loved the Lord, his family, his friends, and his joy-filled life.
Survivors include his wife, Carolyn McAlister Stanford; two sons, Chris Stanford (Carol Dawson Stanford) and Patrick Stanford (Heather Freeman Stanford) 8 Grandchildren-Mary Kathryn Acton (Avery), Colby Stanford, Kate Stanford, Carter Stanford, Karoline Stanford, Jackson Breedlove, Collin Breedlove, Arden Breedlove.
Peck Funeral Home is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers donation can be made to Children’s Ministry at Central Baptist Church.
