Michael Gordon Stafford was born in Chicago in 1947 and died peaceably at INOVA Fairfax Hospital on January 16, 2022, at age 74. He is survived by his wife, Joanna, two sons and their wives, a brother, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Michael retired from the Army as a Master Sergeant after twenty years of service, then continued a long career in military and government IT, most recently as Deputy Project Director of the Army's Reserve Component Automation System. He also served as Chief of Project Management Policy at the IRS and managed roughly 100 employees supporting the Army's World Wide Military Command and Control System while in private industry. His decorations included the Army's Legion of Merit and Meritorious Service Medal.

Michael was a Gold Life Master with the American Contract Bridge League and traveled often to Germany for tournaments, continuing to play online through the COVID restrictions. He also belonged to several golfing groups and took up woodworking after retirement.

He was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.