“Ribault means the world to me; it turned a nobody into somebody!” -John I. Stafford Jr.

John I. Stafford Jr., better known as “Pokey,” was born in 1944. He is the former Dean at Ribault Senior High School. Dean Stafford’s eyes were filled with tears as he reflected during our in-person interview on the memorable time he shared mending the hearts of the students and arguably some staff members as well. Dean Stafford boldly & hilariously proclaimed aloud where he gets his nickname “Pokey” from, “My daddy said he asked for pork n’ beans and I came pokin up!” Dean Stafford’s legacy at Ribault Senior High School started in/around 1976/1977 where he oversaw the night school as the Community School Coordinator until Dean Henry Crawford resigned. Stafford then, upon Principal Jim Williams’s recommendations,  became Ribault’s Dean of Boys. Prior to this role, Stafford completed his internship at Ribault Middle School. Although Dean Stafford retired in 2017 and worked tirelessly under approximately 11 Principals in his 40-year tenure, Stafford’s fingerprint remains as a generally fun, larger-than-life personality, loving, well-rounded, caring, sharp, thoughtful, ambitious, streetwise, tenacious, adaptable, charming, loyal and conscientiousness icon! He’s unashamed to also represent New Stanton High School as an Alumni for (The Unforgettable Class of 1961) along with his colleague Nathaniel “Nat” Glover, the first Black Sheriff of Jacksonville, Florida from 1995-2003.

Below is a list of the Principals whom Dean Stafford had the opportunity to work with at Ribault:

• Vera Davis
• Dr. Harris
• Mrs. Earlene T. Lockett
• Jim Williams
• Dr. Jerry Gugel
• Dr. Easton
• Dr. Ken Brockington
• Royce Turner
• Ed Robinson
• Dr. James Young
• Chris Jackson

Fun Fact: It was understood that they were all good friends as well as employees. Lastly, Principal Ed Robinson & Royce Turner were Dean Stafford’s former students!

John Stafford’s mom gave him such an incredible name. (John) in Hebrew means, “God is gracious”, He provides protection!.” Further, Dean Stafford is the husband of Hilda Stafford. They are the proud parents of three beautiful girls who uniquely all begin with the letter (K) and are also Ribault Alumni: Kimberly (Class of 1992), Krystal (Class of 1997), and Kori (Class of 2006)! With four years in the Marine Corps and then the Reserves afterward, John Stafford was thoroughly equipped with discipline and organizational skills including a sense of being throughout his career and personal life.

Position in the Kitchen asked: “What was the first concert you’ve ever attended?”

John I. Stafford: “I think I went to go see The Spinners. It was a long time ago” in Jacksonville, FL.

PITK: “When was the last time you laughed so hard you were in tears?”

J.S. “That’s kinda hard to say because I find a lot things funny. Probably let me just say when Coach Wilkes had an accident.”

PITK: “Who was Coach Wilkes?”

J.S. “He was the head Basketball Coach at Ribault Senior High School winning 4 State Championships, 14 final four appearances.”

PITK: “Are you referring to Bernard Wilkes?”

J.S. “Bernard Wilkes, right. The Wiz on Winton Drive. He lost his teeth in an accident I think it was and I was wearing a partial plate myself at the time. I told him I would lend him my teeth because his teeth was about to fall out, but then we were joking around in the gym one day and I laughed and my teeth nearly fell out and I caught’em and he saw’em, we both laughed until we cried.” Lol

PITK: Lol

Position in the Kitchen asked: “What’s the name of your all-time favorite old school song?”

John Stafford: “Stand by me!” by Ben E. King. It reminds me a lot of my life, meeting people and how important it is to have somebody to stand by you.”

Dean Stafford shared how he sang Papa Staple, “Respect Yourself,” The Staple Singers with former Ribault teacher Mrs. Debra Henderson (R.I.P) on the faculty talent show and won 1st place! Faculty talent shows: Callahan Slick with Coach Wilkes, California Raisins with Coach Wilkes, Fat Boys Are Back with Coach Wilkes and performed as Rick James alone, lip-syncing.

Position in the Kitchen: “What would you like to be remembered as?”

John Stafford: “As a good guy. Just an overall good guy, a lot of fun, business when needed, practical joker and a good father and a good husband. That’s probably says it all.”

PITK: “What motivates you as a good husband?”

J.S. “Cause I know how to behave myself!”

PITK: Lol

J.S. “Nah, because I have a good faithful wife. She’s been with me through thick and thin. She’s a good Christian person. She’s just a lovable and adorable person.”

PITK: “Wow, it’s amazing how you equate you being a good man to your wife.”

J.S. “I mean for all the ripping and running I was doing in my earlier years, I was probably fortunate to find somebody who would take me in and assist to mold me and make me the type of man I am today. That’s a good thing. I don’t have any desire for any street running all that kind of stuff. All I want to do is to get home and be a husband and a father.”

Position in the Kitchen also paid tribute to Malachi Beyah in an article called, “Honoring You: Malachi Beyah” at: https://positioninthekitchen.com/honoring-you-malachi-beyah/

Position in the Kitchen: “What other affiliation(s) whether from the past, present or future do you have with Ribault Senior High School?

John Stafford: “I think when we went from a national school model to an (F) school, was traumatic for me. Because living the highlights of State Championships Girls & Boys basketball and then being a national school model to fall from fame to something less than was just
phenomenal for me, just hard for me to fathom!

PITK: “So did they start off as a failing school?”

J.S.-“No. I recall they started grading the schools in Duval County, Ribault was one of the national schools. Walter Harris was the principal at the time. We were just a national school model. In other words, we excelled pretty much in everything. And sometime after that within some years, we fell from grace. It wasn’t so good. People didn’t want to say they were from Ribault. But we came back.

PITK: “How did Ribault redeem itself?”

J.S.– Well, under the leadership of Dr. Young when he became the principal, I think was the year we came from a (D) or (F) school back to an (A) school so that was a positive thing. People used to say, “Ri-bault, We-back!”

PITK: “What do you think Dr. Young implimented to make it a better school? What kind of tools did he use?”

J.S.-“Every administrative has different styles and Dr. Young was sort of strict, sort of laid back as well, but he was very, very determined to do what he felt was necessary for Ribault. I can’t put my finger on one specific thing, but people liked working for him. People just went overboard trying to do the best job they could do. I’m sure they probably did that with all the administrators as well, but every administrator has a unique talent and some people just want to produce more for this one than they did for any of the others. My mom always told me, “God puts people in a place where they could do the best job they could do,” and I think that was the case with me. I was placed at Ribault Senior High School and I just felt the love for the school and the kids. I went there every day knowing it was going to be a good day. At that particular time, we just rose to the occasion and like they always say, “Don’t ever count Ribault out!”

Thank you, Dean Stafford, you’re one of a kind! You will forever be greatly loved by many. We honor you on this day.

Hey, Y’all! Leave your comments below to share how Dean Stafford inspired and/or inspires you 🙂

Stay tuned for (part 3) History in the Making: Ribault Senior High School. In the mean time, your welcome to check out (Part 1) at:

History in the making: Jean Ribault Senior High School (part 1)

NOTES:

Written by Zoe/Position in the Kitchen

Photo Credit: Zoe/Position in the Kitchen (1st Pic of John Stafford wearing blue & shirt with Marines Corp hat, Pics of Ribault State Championship rings, Pic of Dean Stafford, Malachi Beyah & Position in the Kitchen, Pic of Malachi Beyah & Position in the Kitchen).

All other pictures used on this article via John I. Stafford was used by permission.

Proofreading credit: Larry A. & Zoe/Position in the Kitchen

Zoe/Position in the Kitchen on behalf of John I. Stafford