After a two-year battle with complications following a double lung transplant, Heaven welcomed home one of the Lord’s most valiant warriors.

On Friday, February 13, 2026, with his loving family at his bedside at UCSF Hospital in San Francisco, Donald Lynn Stafford peacefully slipped from this mortal life and stepped beyond the veil.

Don was born on February 5, 1960, in Gridley, Butte County, California, to William Mitford Stafford and Shirley Lucille Mitchell Stafford. He was the fourth of six children and was raised in Gridley, where he attended local schools and worked at Safeway while completing his education. He graduated from Gridley High School in 1978.

On April 1, 1978, Don joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Eighteen months later, he answered the call to serve in the Arizona Tempe Mission from November 1979 to November 1981.

His testimony and love for the Savior would shape the rest of his life.

Following his mission, Don attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, and later Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, studying Architecture and Pre-Med. During these years he worked in masonry, apartment management, trucking and mechanics, developing the practical skills and work ethic that would characterize his life.

In August 1986, he married Stephanie Michelle Sannar of Gridley, California. To this union were born three sons: Richard William (Brianna) Stafford of Eureka; Briant Everett Stafford of Rexburg, Idaho; and Spencer Stephan Stafford of Eureka. They later divorced in October 1996.

Don began his 26-year career with the California Highway Patrol as a dispatcher in the Bay Area and Chico. He later became a dispatch supervisor in Redding, and eventually a motor carrier specialist. This role led to several transfers throughout California before he and his wife settled on the Central Coast. He retired in 2021 as a motor carrier specialist manager.

On June 25, 1999, Don married the love of his life, Robyn Young (Sellers), in the Salt Lake City Temple. They were later sealed for time and all eternity in the Oakland California Temple on September 25, 1999. In marrying Robyn, Don joyfully embraced her six children as his own: Sarah Lee (Shane) Hastings of Basalt, Idaho; JR (Georgia) Sellers of Albania; Joseph (Paula) Sellers of Wapello, Idaho; Thomas (Megan) Sellers of Blackfoot, Idaho; Nathaniel (Kristen) Sellers of Keswick, Virginia; and Stephanie (Richard) Anderson of Mountain Home, Idaho.

Don was civic-minded and gave generously of his time. He served on the Planning Commision for the City of Gridley and spent many years with the Sequoia and Golden Empire Councils of the Boy Scouts of America as a counselor and camp director.

Within the Church, he served in numerous callings, including Teacher, Elders Quorum President, and counselor in several bishoprics. He especially loved family history work and treasured serving alongside Robyn in the Los Angeles Temple. From February 2020 to February 2022, they served a senior mission together in the California Ventura Mission.

In 2023, Don and Robyn moved to Rio Dell in an effort to alleviate his lung condition and be closer to some of their children and grandchildren.

Don loved the outdoors. He found joy in fishing the lakes, rivers, and streams of California and cherished taking family and friends on fishing excursions in the Pacific Ocean. He also enjoyed hunting, camping, hiking and biking.

His greatest joy, however, was his family — especially his 24 grandchildren. A self-taught artist, he loved sketching and was famous for crafting custom pancakes in any shape or character requested. “Grandpa Don pancakes” became a treasured family tradition.

Food was his love language, and tri-tip was his signature offering. A master of the barbecue, he catered events throughout California and even into Idaho.

Though a man of many talents, his greatest passion was serving the Lord by serving others. Whether acting as handyman, builder, mover, landscaper or friend, he was always the first to step forward. He taught by example that Christlike service is the measure of a life well lived.

Don is survived by his wife, Robyn Young Stafford of Rio Dell; their nine children; and 22 of their 24 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Mitford (“Frog”) Stafford and Shirley Lucille (“Lucy”) Stafford; his brother Russell S. Stafford; and two grandsons, Donald Johannas Sellers and Akston Kirk Sellers.

A celebration of Don’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the LDS Stake Center in Gridley, California. For those unable to attend, the service will be available via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/99614275818