Michael Wayne Stafford

Michael Wayne Stafford was born June 10, 1945 to Vivian Hawker and Lloyd Stafford in Hollywood, CA. As a teenager and young man he lived mostly in Long Beach CA, spending spent his time surfing, building musical instruments, and playing folk music. He was a man of many talents and hobbies. Mike and his brother, Bryan opened up a photography studio in Long Beach for 3½ years. Although Mike had many passions he chose to specialize in automotive technology and after moving to Lucerne Valley CA opened his shop in 1984 which was conveniently located right next to his home.

In 1991, Mike decide to devote his life to education, so at the age of 47 he embarked on a new journey to earn his Bachelors and subsequently Masters in Education and become a high school auto shop teacher at Hesperia High School where he built an ASE credentialed program that not only inspired students to pursue their passions but enabled them to enter into good paying jobs straight out of high school. He also aligned with Victor Valley College so that students could earn college credits while in high school.

After 15 years of teaching high school, he continued to teach part time at Victor Valley College and taught music for 8 years Hesperia Learning Center, a charter school. Mike retired and enjoyed spending his time gardening, playing and building any string instrument you can imagine,

Throughout his entire life Mike had an insatiable appetite for music. He played music with Victor Valley College Community Orchestra. He played with ”A Pint of Irish” for 5 years switching between the guitar, banjo, violin, while singing his favorite folk songs. He had a music night and played with his friends the week before he passed away.

Mike was a Vietnam Veteran, serving with the 173rd Airborne unit. He was very active in his local VFW chapter, American Legion, as well as the DAV.

He was a devote Zen Buddhist and was known to many as the most Venerable Thich An Giao, Roshi of the Chùa Thiên Ân Desert Zen Center in Lucerne Valley, CA.

Mike is survived by his wife Marilyn Stafford; daughter, Candice Stafford-Banks; and grandchildren Callista Banks, Orion Banks, Emily Stafford, and Evelynn Stafford; brothers, Brian and Steven Smith, Thomas Stafford and sister, Lauren McGuire. He was preceded in death by his son Aaron Stafford, and parents Vivian Houghton and Lloyd Stafford.

He passed away on Thursday, July 25, 2024 at the age of 79 in his home in Lucerne Valley, CA with his wife by his side.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday August 24th from 11:00 - 1:00 at the Desert Zen Center 10989 Buena Vista Rd, Lucerne Valley, CA 92356.