EDWARD MURPHY STAUFFER

Edward Murphy Stauffer was born on February 24, 1938, in Providence, Rhode Island. He passed away peacefully on June 25, 2022, in his home in Meridian.

Ed became a Fort Worth firefighter in 1959. He was promoted several times, reaching an earned rank of captain. Ed was later appointed as the first chaplain of the FWFD. He served the firefighters of the city of Fort Worth and their families for many years. In 1978, Ed founded what became the Federation of Fire Chaplains. It grew to over 2,000 chaplains across the United States and Canada. He went on to train, mentor, teach and encourage thousands of chaplains for over 40 years.

Ed was a visionary with a passion to help those in the fire service. He helped develop curriculum, built teams of support and lobbied in Washington, D.C., to bring better benefits to firefighters. Ed was so dearly loved by his family. He was fun, adventurous and giving. He had a strong faith and lived a life of kindness. Ed’s Memorial and Celebration of Life will be: July 8, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. Central Time at the Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex located at 509 West Felix Street inFort Worth, Texas 76115.Ed is survived by his wife of 65 years, Gayle Stauffer. His children and their families are: Son, Mark Stauffer, and spouse, Sandra, and family: Coby Stauffer and spouse, Milli, and children Dylan, Meadow, and Aden, and grandson, Gus; Emily Cox and children Buddy and Lizzi; Michael Paul Stauffer and spouse, Maggie, and children Jessi, Joey, Jaicee, and Jaser. Daughter, Jenea Stauffer Shelby, and spouse, Daniel, and family: Lacey Shelby Shaw and children Addison, Southern, Chaplain, and Golden; Jacob Shelby and spouse, Natalie; Cassidy Shelby Nye and spouse, Scott, and children Harbour and Lakelie; McKenzie Shelby and Patrick Bradley; Heidi Shelby Kay and spouse, Elijah; McCauley Shelby. Son, Drew Thorne, and children Zoe, Mia, and Asa; LaDonna. Daughter, Denise Stauffer Anderson, and family: Spence Anderson and spouse, Emily, and children Lively, Jude, Brightly, and Presley; Adrienne Brown and spouse, Taylor, and children Jenkins, Delano, Pamela, and Faye; Vayle White and children Willow and Otto; Joah Anderson and child Nova; Andy Anderson and children Arlo and Atlee. Son, Shawn Stauffer, and children: Murphy Stauffer; Abigayle Stauffer and Tyler Fedrick and children Emersyn and Adleigh; Liberty Taylor and spouse, Blaine; Canyon Stauffer; Journey Stauffer. Son, Brian Stauffer, and spouse, Rebekah, and child Chloe Beverly. Ed also loved his siblings, Daryl Stauffer, Kara Jordan, Craig Eskew, and their families.To honor Ed, the family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the following: Meridian Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 722 inMeridian, Texas 76665, Federation of Fire ChaplainsPO Box 567748 in Dallas, Texas 75356 or online at Online at www.firechaplains. org.Arrangements were entrusted to Lawson Funeral Home, Meridian, Texas, 254-435-2792.