George Warren Stafford III

George Warren Stafford III, 84, of Thomasville, Georgia, passed away on April 8, 2026. Born on September 11, 1941, Warren was raised in Thomasville, where he enjoyed a carefree childhood shaped by strong family values, close friendships, and a lifelong love of the outdoors.

Warren graduated from Thomasville High School and went on to attend North Georgia Military College in Dahlonega, Georgia. It was there that he met Beth Tate, a fellow student and the love of his life. Following graduation, the couple married in Gainesville, Georgia, beginning a devoted partnership that spanned decades.

After completing Infantry Officer Training and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, Warren and Beth moved to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where he served as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. During that time, their first daughter, Kathy, was born. Upon completing his military service, the family relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where Warren worked for General Motors and later for Citizens and Southern National Bank. While living in Atlanta, Warren and Beth welcomed their second daughter, Cindy.

In 1978, Warren returned to Thomasville with his family to take over the family business, Stafford's. Under his leadership, the business became well known among upland bird hunters, particularly for its in-house, canvas-faced briar pants. One of Warren's greatest sources of pride was mentoring young employees, many of whom later went on to establish successful businesses of their own. He also truly enjoyed meeting and talking with customers from all over the world who visited the store, valuing the relationships he built just as much as the work itself.

Warren was deeply involved in the Thomasville community. He was an active member of the Rotary Club of Thomasville for more than 40 years and served for 12 years on the Business Action Council.

Among his most cherished traditions was his daily gathering with friends at the round table at the Plaza Restaurant. For nearly four decades, Warren could be found eating lunch with his friends, sharing stories, laughter, and opinions whether they were asked for or not. More than a habit, it was a tradition that reflected his love of friendship, conversation, and community.

A man of the land at heart, Warren found his greatest joy outdoors. An avid hunter and fisherman, he especially loved spending time at his farm, often on his tractor. Teaching his grandchildren to fish, shoot, and appreciate nature brought him deep satisfaction. One of his favorite pastimes was delighting his grandchildren with "tours" of the yard, where he had a unique gift for making the ordinary seem extraordinary. Lawn mower rides, long farm days, and those thoughtful tours created memories his grandchildren will cherish for a lifetime.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Beth Stafford of Thomasville; his daughters, Kathy MacQuirter (Danny) of Thomasville and Cindy Riley of Salt Lake City, Utah; his grandchildren, Gordon MacQuirter of Thomasville, Madeline Duncan (Cole) of Birmingham, Alabama, Billy Riley and Katherine Riley of Salt Lake City, Utah; and his great-grandchildren, George, Chloe, and Carolina Duncan.

A memorial service will be held at Allen & Allen Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 13, 2026. Interment will be held privately at a later time.

Those wishing to honor Warren's memory may make memorial donations to the Thomasville Humane Society.