Howard Cromwell Stanley

Beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and all-around greatest of gentlemen, U.S. Navy Captain Howard Cromwell Stanley, 86, died peacefully on June 18, 2025 in Covington, LA surrounded by his family. As he said just before passing, he looks forward to rejoining the love of his life, his wife of 40 years Stephanie Arculeer Stanley who preceded him in death 20 years ago. Raised in Atlanta and New Orleans, Howard started his adventurous life as a young Naval officer sailing the oceans on aircraft carriers in the early 1960s, visiting the great cities of the world, followed by 30 years in the Navy Reserve. After earning his law degree from Tulane University, Howard spent his career as a patent attorney for Monsanto, again traveling the globe defending the company’s most valuable patents. After retirement, he became a sculpture artist and world traveler again, continuing his love of Salvador Dali, Antoni Gaudí, Inca architecture, sailing, fishing, going to the symphony, jazz clubs, great restaurants, golfing, reading, grits, steel drum music, champagne, sitting on the beach in Emerald Isle, NC, picking crabs, and tending to his flower garden. He never lost his voracious curiosity about why the world is the way it is, historical figures, science, and current events. He carried a miniature copy of the U.S. Constitution in his pocket up until the end. But most important to Howard was his family, who were his top priority and the true center of his world. He dearly loved all the people in his circle, and they loved him. Known unanimously as a gentle giant of nearly unlimited kindness, generosity, intelligence, patience, wisdom, and good spirits, Howard leaves behind many broken hearts who all wish we could have more time in his company. As one of his grandchildren said, “I just think it’s important that the world knows it lost one of the most kind and gentle people it had.” The cause of death was complications after a routine surgery. Howard is survived by his daughters, Eve Arculeer Stanley (ex-son-in-law, Jon Londo), Stephanie Stanley (son-in-law, David Eick), Enid Poole Gorringe (son-in-law, Shane Gorringe), and Erin M. Poole; grandchildren, Quinn Edward Londo, Kael Ariel Londo, Jackson Eick, David N. Eick, Alexander Eick, Thomas Gorringe, Zoe Gorringe, Benjamin Gorringe, Bailey Blossman Champagne (grandson-in-law, Joel Champagne Jr.), and Brennan Blossman; great grandchildren, Finn Charles Gravolet and Joel Carey Champagne III; siblings John Allen Stanley (wife, Else Stanley) and Susan Warren; nephew David Carter; and many beloved cousins and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, Elizabeth Cromwell Stanley and John Stanley Sr., and his sister, Shirley Carter. The services will be on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70124. The visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. until the memorial service at 2:00 p.m. The interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. The service will be joinable via livestream: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c25065527547004