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Mountain Home Today
By the People, for the People
Beloved California Highway Patrol Veteran Remembered After Passing
Donald Lynn Stafford, 66, died after a two-year battle with complications from a double lung transplant.
Published on Feb. 21, 2026
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After a two-year battle with complications following a double lung transplant, Donald Lynn Stafford, a 26-year veteran of the California Highway Patrol, passed away on February 13, 2026, at the age of 66. Stafford, who was born in Gridley, California, in 1960, had a lifelong dedication to serving his community and his faith, including through his work with the Boy Scouts and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Why it matters
Stafford's passing marks the end of an era for the California Highway Patrol, where he had a long and distinguished career, as well as for the Gridley community, where he was known for his civic involvement and commitment to service. His life story highlights the importance of organ donation and the challenges faced by those with chronic health conditions.
The details
Stafford joined the California Highway Patrol as a dispatcher in the Bay Area and Chico, later becoming a dispatch supervisor in Redding and eventually a motor carrier specialist, a role that led to several transfers throughout California before he and his wife settled on the Central Coast. He retired in 2021 as a motor carrier specialist manager. Stafford was also known for his involvement in the Boy Scouts and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served in numerous callings, including Teacher, Elders Quorum President, and counselor in several bishoprics.
- Stafford was born on February 5, 1960, in Gridley, California.
- He joined the California Highway Patrol as a dispatcher in the Bay Area and Chico in the 1990s.
- Stafford retired from the California Highway Patrol in 2021 as a motor carrier specialist manager.
- He passed away on February 13, 2026, at the age of 66, after a two-year battle with complications from a double lung transplant.
- A celebration of Stafford's life will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the LDS Stake Center in Gridley, California.
The players
Donald Lynn Stafford
A 26-year veteran of the California Highway Patrol who dedicated his life to serving his community and his faith.
Robyn Young Stafford
Stafford's wife, with whom he shared a deep commitment to their family and their faith.
What’s next
The celebration of Stafford's life on February 21, 2026, will provide an opportunity for the Gridley community and his extended family to come together and honor his legacy of service and faith.
The takeaway
Stafford's life story serves as a powerful example of the impact that one person can have through a lifetime of dedication to their community, their faith, and their loved ones. His passing is a profound loss, but his legacy will continue to inspire those who knew him.
