Garey Stafford Sr.

Garey A. Stafford Sr., 76, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015. in a Chattanooga hospital. He was preceded in death by his father, Lloyd A. Stafford. Mr. Stafford was retired from Cookes Manufacturing with over 40 years of service and attended Amazing Grace Baptist Church. His hobbies include Stafford Used Cars business, Antique Cars, fishing, farming and he loved to make people laugh. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He was a Christian who loved the Lord with all his heart. He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 57 years, Marie Stafford; his mother, Thelma Stafford Boring, of Ooltewah; his sons Allen Stafford and his wife, Melissa of McDonald, Larry Stafford and his wife Amy, of Wartburg; daughters Debbie Cooke, of Knoxville and Amy Stafford, of Cleveland; grandchildren, Kellie Freytag and her husband Matt, Jay Cooke and his wife Marissa, Davey Stafford and his wife Ashliegh, Jake Stafford, a very special granddaughter, Bryliegh Stafford and Avery Stafford, great grandchildren Jameson Cooke, Anna Mae Freytag, Cayden Stafford and Sara Beth Stafford. He is also survived by his brothers, Doyle Stafford and his wife Nancy, Donald Stafford and his wife Barbara and Rickey Stafford and his wife Pam, all of Ooltewah; and several nephews. A Remembrance of Life Service will be held Friday evening at 7 p.m. at Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services North Ocoee St. Chapel with Pastor Marvin Carr officiating. The interment will be Saturday morning at 11 a.m. at Corinth Baptist Church cemetery with Jay Cooke, Jake Stafford, Matt Freytag, Jimmy Cooke Jr., Mike Carroll and Wayne Burgess serving as casket bearers. Honorary casket bearers will be Tommy Stafford, Jeff Stafford, Trace Hogan, buster Hogan, Larry Hogan, Mike Burrell, Bill Smith and Tolbert Bell. The family will receive friends Friday from 4 until service time at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. We encourage you to share your memories and or condolences with the family by going to www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com.