Eldon Stafford Turns 105 Years Old

Dexter, Missouri - Eldon Stafford was born October 12, 1912 just two days before former President Theodore Roosevelt was shot in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Titanic sank that year, Alaska became a U.S. territory, Arizona became a state, and for the first time an airplane was featured on the U.S. postage stamp.

Eldon has seen a lot of change over the past 105 years.  

"I think electricity was the greatest change in my lifetime," stated Stafford.  "It has helped a lot of people and because of it the world changed for the better."

His daughter, Janet Karam, who lives in Memphis, Tennessee visited with her dad today at Cypress Point for his birthday.  She said he moved from his home in Essex to Cypress Point on December 12th at the age of 104.  Until he was 103 he had always had a garden and up until just a few years ago he mowed his own lawn.

Mr. Stafford had worked for the United States Postal Service for more than 30 years and became the Postmaster at Essex until his retirement.

He was one of seven children.  He had three older siblings and three younger siblings making him "that' middle child!  The oldest was a girl, then five boys, and the last born was also a girl.  His momma had her hands full back in those days.  Of those siblings Eldon's brother T.G. "Mike" Stafford is 102 years old and his sister Lola Reynolds is 96 years old and still going strong.

"I don't feel any different than when I turned 100," commented Stafford.  "The good Lord has been very good to me."

"I never smoked and the only time I had whiskey was when I was sick," continued Stafford.  "I would have some whiskey before bed and when I woke up the next morning I was better."

Eldon loves to have visitors, enjoys playing solitaire and doing word search puzzles.  He also attends daily exercise classes.

Please join him on Saturday, October 14, 2017 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.  for a Birthday Celebration at Cypress Point located in Dexter.  Anyone who knows Eldon is invited and encouraged to visit with him.