Albert “Al” Stauffer

Stauffer

Albert “Al” Stauffer, 96, passed away at home February 14, 2026. He was born November 21, 1929, to Fred and Virgie Stauffer of Patriot, OH. He was raised on a 205 acre farm in Gallia County and enjoyed farming, especially after his retirement, as long as he was able. He loved working the land and said he felt closest to God when he was doing so. He maintained strong ties with Gallia County, Perry Township, all of his life. Close neighbors to the farm were like family. With his death, Perry Township has lost a wealth of historical knowledge. He knew the lineage of every family from earlier days. He graduated from Cadmus High School in 1948. He served in the U.S. Army 1951-1953 in Germany as tank commander with Tank Co. 2nd Battalion 14th Armored Cavalry Division. He married Arleta “Jo” Hill in 1957. He enjoyed horses in his earlier years. He and Flapjack, his beloved palomino, brought home many ribbons from horse shows. He spent his career with Ashland Oil, Inc., starting in 1954 as a deck hand on a riverboat. He traveled the Ohio River, the Mississippi River and its tributaries, as well as the Intracoastal Waterway in the South till 1957, when he transferred to Marietta, OH, as a terminal operator. He became terminal manager in 1963 and continued in that position till he retired in 1991. He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church family since 1963, serving as a deacon, trustee and Sunday School Class President. He served as a member of the Washington Co. Board of Elections from 1972-2004. He became involved in politics in 1966, assisting with the campaign of Clarence Miller, long-time U.S. Congressman from the Ohio 10th Congressional District. Al served as chairman of the Washington Co. Republican Executive Committee from 1974-1992. He was also a past chairman of the Washington Co. Republican Central Committee. He served as chairman for the Reagan campaigns in the Ohio 10th Congressional District. He was instrumental in bringing then presidential candidate, Reagan, to visit Marietta two days before he was elected President. He was also instrumental in bringing George H.W. Bush, presidential candidate and Dan Quayle, vice presidential, to Marietta. Al served as a delegate or alternate to the National Republican Conventions in 1980, 1984 and 1988. He was appointed by President George H.W. Bush to ORSANCO (Ohio River Sanitation Commission) in 1991. He served one year and resigned due to scheduling conflicts with Wash. Co. Board of Election duties. He chose to honor the prior commitment. One of his favorite things to do was to join friends for daily coffee at McDonald’s. He treasured those friendships. His hobbies included hunting Indian artifacts, farming, crossword puzzles and reading. He also enjoyed traveling as long as Jo made all the arrangements. He was a 70 plus member of Patriot Masonic Lodge #444 F. & A.M. He was also a member of the Marietta Shrine Club and Aladdin Shrine, Columbus, OH. and American Legion Post #64 Marietta. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters. Surviving along with his wife are two sons, Brent (Beth) Stauffer and Bruce (Kara) Stauffer, five grandchildren, Calvin Stauffer, Carly (Tom) Lear, Luke Winters, Rylee (Patrick) McCourt and Tanner Stauffer, two great grandsons, Jack Gallagher Lear and (yet to be born) Miles Spencer McCourt; one nephew Fred Stauffer and several cousins. Funeral services will be held 2 PM Thursday, February 19th, 2026 at Hadley Funeral Home Reno Chapel, 1021 Pike St., Marietta, with Pastor Ryan Brooks officiating, burial to follow in East Lawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held 2 hours prior to the service on Thursday 12-2 PM. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Children’s, Attn: Shriners Children’s, P.O. Box 947765, Atlanta, GA. 30394 and Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC. 28607. Online condolences may be made at www.hadleyfh.com.