Ronald Leslie Stafford of Kansas City, MO passed away peacefully on April 10, 2026 at the age of 76 years old. Ron was born on September 20, 1949 to Sheldon and Ruth Stafford. He attended Pembroke Country Day School and later Drake University. Ron had a passion for exotic cars and racing. In the 1970s he owned a De Tomaso dealership selling Pantera’s throughout the Midwest. He had a racing team with his family and raced Corvettes, an original Ford GT40 and took 3rd in the 1971 SCCA National Championships driving a Surtees TS5A Formula Car. His passion for aviation led Ron to become a licensed commercial pilot, certified flight instructor and airline transport pilot. He held several type ratings and was a corporate contract pilot for many companies in the Midwest, including Commerce Bank & Walmart. In 1979 he flew the chase plane for the DaVinci Trans America Hot Air Balloon flight. He ferried several planes across the Atlantic and was the premier instructor in the USA for anyone needing training for the Morane Saulnier MS 760 Paris Jet. Ron married Susan States on November 24, 1978 and they had 2 children together, Tosha and Mitchell. Ron was a loving husband, dedicated father and friend to many. He was preceded in death by his parents Sheldon and Ruth; brothers Reggie and Randy. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Susan; daughter and son-in-law Tosha and Robert Stewart; son and daughter-in-law Mitchell and Stephanie Stafford; grandchildren Talia Stewart, Wade Stafford, Tyson Stafford and Vanessa Stafford. There will be no services. Ron chose to be cremated and to have his ashes spread over the “Four Corners”. The family would like to thank Ron’s team from Monarch Hospice for their care, compassion and thoughtfulness.