Thomas Chappell Stanford Jr passed away peacefully on February 11, 2024 surrounded by family. Tom lived a full and happy life and having reached the age of 90, or the ninth inning as he referred to this decade, he said his main goals were to take care of his family and go to heaven.
Tom was born on November 14, 1933 in Dallas, Texas to Thomas and Monette Stanford. He was the eldest of three children and remained very close with his brother John throughout his life and fondly remembered his sister Caroline who passed away in 1983. Tom had good memories growing up in Highland Park, fishing with his friends at turtle creek and playing baseball.
Tom graduated from Boulder High School and attended Wentworth Military Academy. Following his education, he pursued his passion for baseball and pitched for a Cleveland Indians Farm team. Although he found joy in the game, it turned out that family was Tom’s true vocation.
On April 18, 1965, he married the love of his life, Ana Fernandes, with whom he shared a deep love and enduring bond for all of his days. Together, they were blessed with four children Tom, Richard, Tina and David and twelve grandchildren. He took great pride in his role as a father and grandfather. Tom especially enjoyed sharing his love for baseball with the family. He coached little league, shared stories of meeting Babe Ruth as a boy and often took family to see the Rangers play.
While raising his family Tom developed a very successful career as a sales representative for a paper company. In his professional life he was known for his exceptional gift for building relationships with his customers. Tom's dedication to his work and his genuine care for others left a lasting impact on all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He loved his job and didn’t retire until the age of 85.
Tom’s faith was of the utmost importance to him. He was baptized into the Catholic church in 1969 and loved sharing his faith with both family and friends. He was dedicated to helping the needy through the St. Vincent De Paul society. He spent many years reading the writings of the saints and following the teachings of Jesus Christ. He would often say, “ the most important thing is that you just do your best and keep trying”. That is what Tom did. For all of his effort he leaves behind a beautiful legacy of love and devotion, and countless stories of the gentle caring time he spent with the family in his life.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents Monette and Thomas Stanford, his sister Caroline Stanford and his son Richard Stanford. Tom is survived by his wife Ana Stanford, his children Thomas Stanford, Catarina Jordan and husband John, David Stanford and wife Gracie, Viviana Stanford, wife of Richard. His grandchildren Juliana, Richard, Joseph and Carolina Stanford, John, David Catarina, Lucia and Ana Jordan, Cecilia, Ana Maria and Thomas Stanford, and his brother John Stanford and wife Sara.
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