Stanley, James Lawson – 1928-2013

BUNKER, FUNDERBURK, GREENFIELD, HANKS, KORDICK, MCCRACKEN, STANLEY

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/4/2015 at 09:28:09

James Lawson Stanley passed away peacefully following a short illness on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013. He was 84 years old.
Jim was born in 1928 to Gladyce Bunker and William Stanley in Newton, Iowa. He attended Newton High School and subsequently served in the military during World War II. After receiving his honorable discharge from the Army, he enrolled in The American Business and Commerce Institute, where he met the love of his life, his future wife, Betty. Jim graduated with a degree in accounting, and he and Betty were married in the fall of 1957. The family grew over the next few years with the addition of beloved daughters, Julia and Stephanie.
In 1963 opportunity knocked, and the family moved to the milder climate of Charlotte, N.C. Jim became a valued employee of NCNB (now Bank of America), Miller Office Equipment, and later Cunningham Wholesale Company, where after 25 years of service he retired as chief financial officer. He and Betty then moved to a small town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains called Brevard, N.C. There Jim continued his service to those in need by volunteering at Transylvania County Hospital, tutoring at risk youth at the local elementary school, and serving on the Board of Directors for Meals on Wheels.
It is difficult to take the measure of any man, all the more so for Jim. He made others feel better just for being in his presence. His warm smile and gentle demeanor lent a sense of calm to the most challenging of circumstances, while his love of laughter served to make joyous occasions all the more so. Jim was well read and open-minded, a man of quiet faith who embraced all as fellow passengers on the ride of life, quietly offering help along the way wherever and whenever it was needed. An accomplished businessman with an eye for details, he was also inspired by life’s little gifts – his grandchildren’s laughter, the sports of golf and bowling, warm greetings by the family dogs, the beauty of the mountains, good music, the family game of gin rummy and the love that was present wherever he went. The world is a lesser place for his passing, but we are grateful beyond measure for having had James Lawson Stanley in our lives. He was for us a divine gift.
Jim is survived by his wife, Betty Hanks Stanley’ beloved daughters, Julia Greenfield and Stephanie Funderburk; grandchildren, Abby and Jonathan Greenfield; son-in-law, Russell Greenfield; brother, Jack McCracken and his wife, Dee; nieces Jeannie and Julie; and cousins Phyllis Kordick, Bob Stanley and his wife, Mary Lou.
If so moved, donations in Jim’s honor may be made to meals on Wheels of Transylvania County.
TH Robertson Funeral & Cremation Service is serving the family. Condolences to www.throbertson.com.
Source: Newton Daily News; Monday, October 28, 2013