George Howard Stafford

George Stafford 101, of Great Falls, passed away at home on February 21, 2024.

At his request, no services are being planned and cremation has taken place under the direction of O’Connor Funeral Home. A private burial of the ashes will take place at a later date.

George was born on June 24, 1922, to Walter and Josephine (Slanger) Stafford. He attended local schools, starting at McKinley Elementary School, Paris Gibson Junior High, and graduating from Great Falls High School in 1940. George had completed his first year at The University of Montana when WWII broke out. He was inducted into service and had overseas duty in the South Pacific. He was in the Philippines when WWII ended and moved on to Japan as part of the Occupation Troop. He received his honorable discharge at Fort Lewis and was awarded the Philippine Liberation medal with one bronze star, the American Theater Campaign medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign medal.

He went on to complete his Bachelor of Science degree at The University of Montana and worked twelve years in the office of a builder’s supply firm. When the firm changed locations, George chose to stay in Great Falls, purchasing the Alberta Motel. In the 1960’s, he was elected President of the Great Falls Hotel-Motel Association, serving two consecutive terms. Upon retiring in 1980, George joined his brother Ralph at the family farm on the outskirts of Great Falls. In the later years, George travelled extensively, including several trips to Europe which always ended with a visit to his brother Frank’s grave in a Military Cemetery in Belgium.

George is survived by his niece, Leslie Stafford. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Josephine Stafford; brothers, Ralph and Frank; and his sister-in-law, Barbara Rumford.