Longtime Anchor Point resident, Mr. Ronald Eugene Stafford, 72, died March 26, 2009, from cancer at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer.

A celebration of Ron's life was held April 4, 2009, at the Anchor River Inn, Mile 157 Sterling Highway, in Anchor Point. Dennis Markes presided over the services. Additional services will be held in the summer with family and friends when Ron's ashes will be scattered at his favorite places in Alaska at a date and time to be announced.

Mr. Stafford was born Jan. 2, 1938, to Grant and Marion Stafford in Newark, Ohio. He entered into the U.S. Armed Forces and was honorably discharged. Mr. Stafford worked as a skilled tool maker for Rockwell Industries from which he retired. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

"Ron touched thousands of people with his serenity and sobriety. He was a devoted friend of Bill W. and dedicated to helping others obtain sobriety. Ron first came to Alaska every summer for a month to visit his brother and fell in love with hunting and fishing up here. He moved to Nikolaevsk in 1985, residing here ever since. Ron will be deeply missed by his family and hundreds of friends," wrote the family.

Mr. Stafford was preceded in death by his brother, Grant W. Stafford Jr.; and stepbrother, Richard A. Holcomb. He is survived by his brother, Richard E. Stafford; brother and sister-in-law, John F. and Martha Stafford of Springfield, Ohio; sister, Twila M. Stafford of Texas; sister-in-law, Nancy J. Stafford of Sterling; numerous nieces and nephews; dear friends, Chuck and Marsha Graham of Anchor Point; and extended family.

Arrangements were by the Homer Funeral Home.