Hello everyone,

It is with a broken heart that I share the passing of my beloved son, David Stanford. He was 37 years old and passed away unexpectedly in California, far from his home and family in Ohio. Our greatest wish now is to bring him home so he can be laid to rest surrounded by those who love him.

My son had been living in California on and off for the past four years, where he worked in drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities. He had a deep passion for helping others reach their best potential and the goals God had planned for them. Helping people was not just his job—it was who he was. He consistently went above and beyond for everyone he knew.

He also had a strong passion for raising awareness for mental health, because he struggled with his own mental health issues; paranoid schizophrenia being one. He believed deeply in breaking the stigma and reminding others that they were not alone. His compassion, understanding, and willingness to support others came from his own journey.

Fitness was another major part of his life. He loved working out in the gym and helping fellow gym members reach their health and wellness goals. Nutrition and healthy living were important to him, and he took pride in encouraging others to become the best version of themselves—physically, mentally, and spiritually.

The cost of transporting him from California to Ohio, along with funeral and related expenses, is more than I am able to manage during this incredibly painful time. Due to my mom passing at the beginning of December and then my son at the end of December has put a mental and financial strain on me as I am not able to work at this time.  I am  asking for help to bring my son home so I can properly say goodbye and honor the life he lived and the many people he touched.

Any donation, no matter the amount, would mean more than words can express. A PayPal fundraiser was not as successful as I had hoped and prayed for, with needing around $10,000 to transport the body alone. Not including funeral expenses.If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser and keeping my family in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness, love, and support during this devastating time.