Matthew Shawn Stafford (best known as ‘Matt’ or ‘Hippy’) was born November 14, 1967 to Larry Gene Stafford and Sharon Elaine Meichtry Stafford, and passed away suddenly on July 5, 2026.
Matt spent most of his life in Tillamook County. He played football at Neah-Kah-Nie High School with his biggest fan, his mama, rarely missing a game. After high school Matt worked at various jobs and settled in for the long-haul at Northwest Hardwoods as a barker operator. Matt enjoyed any time spent in the woods camping, hunting, or driving around. He also enjoyed fishing and rock-hounding.
The greatest love of Matt’s life was his children, Taylor Stafford and Hannah Rowland. Later in life, his grandchildren Aiden Beets, Hayleigh Beets, Vayda Rosales and Wren Smith captured a huge piece of his heart, along with his loyal companion ‘Lily’ the dog (who is completely lost without her person).
Matt is preceded in death by his father Larry and his wife Iva Stafford and his mother Sharon and her husband Charles Everhart, his older brother Larry Lee Stafford, his aunts Janice Borden and Christine Emma, his cousin Steven Norenberg, and good friend Mike Vermilyea.
He is survived by his daughters Taylor and Hannah, his bonus children Aaron Phillips and Kursten Zigler, his son-in-law Austin Smith, his grandchildren Aiden, Hayleigh, Vayda and Wren, his aunts Vickie Walker and Donna Lucontro, cousins Fritz Yunke, Michelle King, Janelle Castro, Deena Brooks-Cain and Katie Guzman, and life-long friends Scott Sheldon, Tony Reed, Berto Krumenaker and Bob Gastineau.
Matt, you will be missed! Gone, but never forgotten!
