Arthur Henry Stafford, Iii

Arthur Henry Stafford III, 84, of Babson Park, FL passed away peacefully on September 13,, 2023.

Art was born to Arthur Henry Stafford Jr and Charlotte Sarah Clark Stafford in Polk County, FL on December 2, 1938.  Growing up he stayed active playing sports and enjoyed spending time outdoors.  He attended community college in Polk County and started his career in agriculture as a manager on a sugar cane farm in southern Florida.  This led Art to become a fruit inspector with the USDA where he spent the remainder of his long career inspecting fruit in both Florida and Georgia.

Though he never married, Art lived a full and vibrant life and enjoyed spending time with his friends and family.  He continued to stay active, taking up walking as a favorite hobby.  Each summer he made a trip to the family cabin in Cedar Mountain, North Carolina, where he could enjoy walking in nature.  He had a passion for animals and contributed a great deal to numerous animal rescues including World Wildlife Fund, Defenders of Wildlife, Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary, and SPCA.  He was a lifelong member of the Babson Park Community Church where he spent many years volunteering his time as a deacon.  Art was a huge Cleveland Indians fan, and never missed an opportunity to watch a baseball game, Nascar race, or spectate any quality sporting event. Art will be missed very much.

Art is survived by his sister, June Stafford Ector; cousin, Ruthie Welch (Ken); and many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Services will be held at Marion Nelson Funeral Home, 454 South Buck Moore Rd, Lake Wales, FL on September 15th at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the SPCA in Art’s name.