Alfred "Al" W. Stanley

NOTE: This obituary is placed on our web-site as a service to the community. The information was taken from public records rather than the family directly.

Alfred "Al" W. Stanley, 86, formerly of La Grande, died September 26, 2003 at his home in Athena. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Athena City Cemetery with Pastor John Nichols officiating. Visitation hours will be from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday and from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday at Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home in Milton-Freewater.

Mr. Stanley was born May 13, 1917, in Midland, Texas to Alfred W. and Bessie I. Roberts Stanley. He graduated from Midland High School and for a time worked in the area oil fields. He served in the United States Army during World War II. He served in the Philippines and recieved a Purple Heart after being wounded in Leyte.

Hr married Leona Brewer on November 11, 1945 in Winlock, Washington. He graduated from Washington State University in 1948. He and his wife moved to Texas where he worked for Federal Land Bank. He was recalled back to active duty during the Korean War and spent one year in Monterey, California at the Army Language School. He then was sent to Germany for two years where he worked in intelligence.

After receiving his honorable discharge he returned to the United States and once more went to work for the Federal Land Bank. He worked in Oregon City for four years and then in La Grande until he retired. He and his wife lived in La Grande for 40 years before moving to Athena to be near their daughter and son-in-law.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Elks Lodge and was a former member of the La Grande Country Club. He also belonged to the Order of Eastern Star, the American Legion, the V.F.W. and the United Methodist Church, all of La Grande. He was an avid golfer and loved to attend local sporting events.

He is survived by his wife; daughter and son-in-law, Sheri and Steve Pyle of Athena; son and daughter-in-law, John and Margaret Stanley of Palmdale, California; sister, Dorothy Wallace of Odessa, Texas; four granddaughters; four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Contributions can be made to the East Umatilla County Health District of a charity of choice through the funeral home.