George Wainwright Stanley, formerly of Du Quoin

Posted April 05, 2017 11:00 pm

George Wainwright Stanley, 88, of Claremont, Calif., passed away Jan. 22, 2017, after a brave year-long fight with lymphoma. George, the oldest of six children, was born April 18, 1928, in Du Quoin to George and Margaret Stanley. He attended Du Quoin High School and then joined the Navy to serve the country during World War II.  After his return from duty, George met and began his courtship of Loudene Power in Herrin in 1948, only to be interrupted by active duty with the 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. George received his bachelor's degree from Quincy College, where he graduated first in his class, and later earned his master's degree from Pomona College. In 1956, the Stanleys moved out west to Hollywood, then to Pomona in 1957, where their two children, twins Leslie and Wade, were born in 1961, finally settling in Claremont in 1962.  George 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, where he retired in 1994. George was an accomplished photographer, avid golfer and passionate student of guitar. Granddaughter Samantha Walker describes her grandfather as "one of the men I admire most. The man who taught me the importance of imagination, introspection and integrity. My grandfather, my teacher and my protector." Granddaughter Olivia Walker says "the world has lost its greatest intellectual, its greatest adventurer, its greatest impromptu song writer and singer, its greatest dancer. The man who taught me the importance of integrity and loyalty, of getting the best education but also following my creative passions, and who taught me to be a great storyteller." George is survived by his loving wife of 64 years Loudene; daughter Leslie Walker and son-in-law Paul; son Wade and daughter-in-law Jackie Stallcup; granddaughters Samantha and Olivia; brother Phillip; sister Margaret; nieces and nephews; and other family and friends.  George was preceded in death by his parents, brother Truman, and sisters April and Shirley. An open house celebrating the life and spirit of George Stanley will be held April 8. In lieu of flowers, George's family requests everyone buy a pocket knife, read a good book, visit a national park, or take a trip to Laughlin to play their favorite game of chance.

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