Man of integrity

George Wainwright Stanley, a longtime Claremont resident, died on January 22, 2017 after a brave yearlong fight with lymphoma. He was 88.

The oldest of six children, he was born in Du Quoin, Illinois on April 18, 1928 to George and Margaret Stanley. He attended Du Quoin High School and then joined the US Navy to serve the country during World War II. After his return from duty, he met and began his courtship of Loudene Power in Herrin, Illinois in 1948, only to be interrupted by active duty with the US Army during the Korean War. Within a year of his return from this tour of duty, George and Loudene were married in 1952 in Elkville, Illinois. Mr. Stanley received his bachelor’s degree from Quincy College where he graduated first in his class, as well as later earning his master’s degree from Pomona College.

In 1956 the Stanleys moved out west to Hollywood and then a year later moved to Pomona where their two children, twins Leslie and Wade, were born in 1961. They finally settled in Claremont in 1962. Mr. Stanley worked for General Dynamics as a human resources manager, specializing in the recruiting of engineers for many years, before moving on to work for Honeywell, from which he retired in 1994.

Mr. Stanley was an accomplished photographer, an avid golfer and a passionate student of guitar. Granddaughter Samantha Walker describes her grandfather as one of the men she most admired. “He’s the man who taught me the importance of imagination, introspection and integrity—my grandfather, my teacher and my protector,” she said.

Granddaughter Olivia Walker also emphasized her grandfather’s integrity, as well as his loyalty. “The world has lost its greatest intellectual, its greatest adventurer, its greatest impromptu songwriter and singer, its greatest dancer,” she shared. “He’s the man who taught me the importance of getting the best education but also of following my creative passions, and who taught me to be a great storyteller.”

George is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Loudene, his daughter Leslie Walker and son-in-law Paul, his son Wade and daughter-in-law Jackie Stallcup and his granddaughters Samantha and Olivia. He also leaves his brother Phillip and his sister Margaret, as well as nieces and nephews and other family and friends. George was preceded in death by his brother Truman and sisters April and Shirley.

An open house celebrating the life and spirit of George Stanley will be held at the Stanley home on Saturday, April 8 from noon to 3 p.m. Friends of George are invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, George’s family requests everyone buy a pocketknife, read a good book, visit a national park or take a trip to Laughlin to play their favorite game of chance.