Visitation for Raymond Stanley will be held 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 4 at the Martin-Mattice Funeral Home in Emmetsburg. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 5 at First United Methodist Church in Emmetsburg. The Rev. Lana Williams will officiate.
Raymond Darrell Stanley was born Feb. 8, 1942 in Spencer. He spent his early years in Montgomery, Iowa and later moved back to Spencer. Ray spent his teen years helping his father on the farm and tending to the herd of dairy cattle. He graduated from Spencer High School in 1960. After graduation, Ray went to work for C.D. Farm Service in Spencer delivering propane. His job brought him to Emmetsburg in 1962.
He married Cheryl Hepworth in Royal, Iowa in 1962. They had two sons: Brent (Wendy) and Jason (Trisha). In 1972 Ray and Cheryl started Stanley Propane.
In 1988 Ray married Lois Cupp, which brought another son, Brian (Julie) into the family. Ray and Lois continued to own and operate Stanley Propane until his retirement in 2018.
Ray was "all in" for Emmetsburg. He loved his E'Hawks and was president of the Athletic Boosters for many years. He was a member of the Emmetsburg Fire Department and ambulance service. Ray looked forward to the St. Pat's celebration every year. He and his fellow "Irishmen" had a parade car that smoked, squirted water, and backfired very loudly. He was quick to volunteer for anything that would benefit his beloved town.
Ray loved softball and was a pitcher for the Emmetsburg fast pitch team for many years. He also liked to golf, bowl, ride snowmobiles, and follow NASCAR. Later in life, Ray was especially proud of his bright red 1957 Chevy.
Ray never shied away from a good time. To Ray, there was nothing more satisfying than a successful practical joke. No one was safe when he and his twin brother, Roger were on the prowl.
Ray was always willing to help his friends and neighbors. He had a skill for fixing things and could repair anything mechanical with a hammer, duct tape and a cuss word...or 4 or 5 all strung together.
Ray loved his family, especially his grandkids. They were the light of his life and he enjoyed watching them compete in their athletics. Ray also considered his dogs part of the family and loved them as such.
Ray passed away Monday, March 27, 2023 at the Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg at the age of 81. He was preceded in death by his parents, Weber and Marian Stanley and his twin brother, Roger Stanley.
He is survived by his wife, Lois of Emmetsburg; his children, Brent (Wendy) Stanley of Spencer, Jason (Trisha) Stanley of Syracuse, Nebraska, and Brian (Julie) Cupp of Shreveport, Louisiana; six grandchildren; a brother, Larry (Deb) Stanley of Lake Park; sisters, Barb (Joe) Mann of Sioux City, and Connie Frazier of Roland, Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Carolyn Stanley; as well as many other relatives and friends.
Arrangements made by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home.
Condolences can be left at
www.martinmattice
funeralhome.com
