Carl A. Safford

Carl A. Safford, 89, of Mexico, died April 9, 2012, at Audrain Medical Center in Mexico. Funeral services will be Saturday, April 14, at Noon, at Pickering Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be in Grand View Burial Park in Hannibal.

Carl was born on Nov. 20, 1922, in Paris Ill., a son of Carl A. Safford Sr. and Nora Myrtle (Jackson) Safford. On June 16, 1946, he married Mildred Akers at the First Baptist Church in Moberly with the Rev. Joseph P. Grant officiating. She survives him at the home.

Carl graduated from Hannibal High School in 1940. He joined the US Army in Nov. 1942 and was assigned to the 322nd signal corps 9th Air Force. He landed on Omaha Beach six days after the D Day Invasion in Normandy and served in England, France, and Germany until the end of the war in 1945. Carl was involved in Telecommunications and was a sergeant in the 322nd, receiving 4 bronze stars.

Carl began working in a family owned shoe store in Hannibal, Mo at the age of 16. When returning from service he joined his father in opening shoe stores in Moberly, Kirksville, Oskaloosa, Iowa, and Mexico. Carl and Mildred, along with their family settled in Mexico in the 50's. Carl continued in the shoe business with his father, running the Safford and Family Shoe Stores in Mexico. He ran the store into his 70's and in 2005 finally closed Safford Shoe Store.

Carl received Christ as his Lord and Savior at twelve years of age in the First Baptist Church in Paris, Ill. Carl served as an Elder and deacon for a number of years at the First Christian Church of Mexico, and later was an active member of First Baptist Church in Mexico. He attended services there and participated in the ABC group and Bible study. Carl had several inventions which he obtained patents on and enjoyed this as a hobby. He will be missed greatly by his family.

In addition to his wife Mildred, he is survived by three sons, Monte Safford and wife Ellen, Steve Safford and Dan Safford, all of Mexico; six grandchildren, Chase, Austin, Kara, Trisha, Travis, and Danielle; seven great-grandchildren, Shelby, Charlie, Alex, Chloe, Greta, Elijah, and Mila; one sister Virginia Strain, of California.

He was preceded in death by, his daughter, Cathy L. Safford, who died Oct. 3, 2011, one brother Ralph O. Safford, and his parents Carl & Muriel Safford.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Samaritans Purse and sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.