Arleigh Childress "A.C." Stanley

Arleigh Childress "A.C." Stanley, 92, of Owensboro passed away Monday, January 16, 2017 in the care of Hospice of Western Kentucky. Mr. Stanley was born in Pritchett, Upshur County, Texas and grew up in Tyler, Texas where he attended public schools. A veteran of World War II he served in the Seabees, the Marine Corps, and the Navy, retiring from the Naval Reserve in 1978 with the rank of Commander. His civilian employment included 42 years with the Sherwin-Williams Company retiring as Mid-South District Manager at Memphis, TN. For 13 years he was Production Manager at Southern Fabricators, also in Memphis.

A graduate of Duke University, Mr. Stanley received a Master's degree in Business Administration at Northwestern University. Additional studies included curriculum development at the Naval War College in Newport, RI, oceanography at The Scripps Institute in La Jolla, CA, as well as classified military research and development projects.

A member of Settle Memorial United Methodist Church, Mr. Stanley served on a number of inter-denominational boards and committees in the Kentucky Conference, as well as in conferences in Tennessee, Louisiana, and Texas. Locally he was a Sunday school teacher and a study group leader for Bible research. His involvement with United Methodist Men included service as District President, First Vice-President for Kentucky and state director of training. He was Chairman of the Board of the United Methodist Mountain Mission in Appalachia, a Fellow of the Society of John Wesley, an Emmaus member, and a life member of the National Association of United Methodist Scouters.

Mr. Stanley was a member of The National Train Society, the National Rail Historical Society, the NHRS Romeos and author of Train Tales. He was a reading coach for RSVP, a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, a Shriner and a life member of the Grand Lodge of Texas.

Mr. Stanley was preceded in death by his parents C. Jackson and Louwillie Alice Price Stanley, a brother, Wallace J. Stanley and a sister, Ila Berry.

Mr. Stanley is survived by his wife Gatha Nell Clark Stanley, formerly of Belzoni, MS; his sons Dwayne Clark Stanley and his wife Amy of Hawesville and Charles Michael Stanley and his wife Gail of North Carolina; his grandchildren Aaron Stanley, Hunter Stanley, Cheyenne Stanley, Sierra Stanley, Kenneth Stanley, and Carol Stanley; three great-grandchildren; his sister Alice Badsgard of Whittier, CA; and his brothers, Leo Ray Stanley of Kirbyville, TX and Roy L. Stanley of Tyler, TX.

The funeral service for Mr. Stanley, officiated by Rev. Darren Brandon and Dr. Glenn Sowards will be 12:00pm, January 19, 2017, at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. Visitation will be from 4:00pm until 8:00pm Wednesday, and will begin Thursday at 11:00 am. Entombment will be in the Chapel of Peace at Rosehill Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Settle Memorial United Methodist Church or Hospice of Western Kentucky.