Gerald Stanley of Poteau, Oklahoma, peacefully passed away at the age of 92 on February 3, 2023 after a long struggle with dementia. He is survived by his son, Mark Stanley of Granbury, Texas, daughter Janet Burrow, of Poteau, son Jeff Stanley, of Carpenter, Wyoming, son Steve Stanley, of Rockwall, Texas, and daughter Lyn Walker of Poteau as well as 19 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Hazel Stanley, his wife, Charlene Cheely Stanley, and his brother, Don Stanley.
Jerry was born on July 17, 1930 in Pomona, California and lived with his parents, his brother and sisters Ruth Finley and Sheryl Bosch. He graduated from Pomona High School in 1949 where he met Charlene Cheely. They fell in love and were married on October 27, 1950. Shortly thereafter, he entered the U.S. Army and was stationed at Ft. Ord, California as a corporal supervising physical training during the Korean conflict.
After being honorably discharged from the Army, he returned to Pomona where he worked in the construction trade in various roles and then went to work for the State of California. He loved history and settled into restoring state historical sites as a carpenter and restoration specialist and eventually relocated to Cambria, California where he supervised the restoration of Hearst Castle. He was promoted to restoration supervisor for the State of California and moved to Sacramento, California until his retirement in 1984 after 25 years of service to the State.
After retirement, Jerry and Charlene returned to her childhood home in Poteau, Oklahoma until her battle with cancer caused them to relocate to Sacramento to improve her quality of care. They were married for 54 years and she was the love of his life until her passing in 2004. He missed her every day of his life after that, but continued to serve the Lord in whatever capacity he could.
He was a passionate Christian and had attended Pacific Bible Seminary to study for the ministry. For many years of his life, he was a bi-vocational preacher at the White and Alvarado Church of Christ in Pomona. Because of his love for God and the Church, he was involved in attending and serving in a church wherever his full-time job took him. He was also the creator and editor of the “Heaven Watch” series of Christian tracts.
The funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on February 18, 2023 at Evans and Miller Funeral Home at 411 Dewey Avenue in Poteau to celebrate his life. A graveside service for family will follow.
Pallbearers will be Greg Stanley, Tim Washington, Wyatt Pelfrey, Matt Benedetto, Harry Benedetto, and Jackson Benedetto.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to DAV #63 Poteau.
You may leave an online message at www.evansandmillerfuneralhome.com.
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