James L. Stanley, Sr.

Air Force Lt. Col. (Ret) James Lester Stanley, age 87 of Ferrum, Virginia and Jekyll Island, Georgia, passed away peacefully Friday, July 15, 2016. He will be remembered for his selfless dedication to family, country and community.

Jim was born in Nola, Franklin County Virginia, of the late Claude Dennis Stanley and Leah Belle Thompson Stanley of Ferrum, Virginia. Mr. Stanley was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Agnes (Polly) Piper Stanley, his parents and his siblings: Nell Stanley Mullins, Margaret Stanley Touchton, Lane Stanley, Warren Stanley and Charles (Chris) Stanley. Survivors include his children: Col. (Ret) James L. Stanley, Jr. and his wife Terri Parenti Stanley; Marsha Stanley Fay and her husband, Clifford Charles Fay; Brian R. Stanley and his wife Linda Lee Stanley; six grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Col. Stanley was raised in Ferrum, Virginia, graduated from Ferrum High School and Ferrum Junior College. Jim answered the call to serve his country in what would later be regarded as some of the most pivotal and challenging times in our history. Stanley’s passion for flight drove him to enlist in the United States Air Force where he trained in flight school as a navigator and bombardier. On October 14, 1950, Air Force Second Lieutenant James Stanley married Army Nurses Corp. Second Lieutenant Agnes Doris Piper at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He was later deployed to Korea where on February 19, 1952, his plane was shot down over the mountains of North Korea. After days’ long exposure to frigid, sub-zero temperatures, Stanley was captured by Korean soldiers and held prisoner for the following 19 months. He was freed in 1953 in a prisoner of war exchange. Upon his return home, Stanley earned a bachelor’s Degree in Bachelors of Science in Business from Syracuse University. From 1966 to1969, he served as Commander of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at Duke University. At Duke, he also had the opportunity to share his love of flight with students in his role as Professor of Aerospace. Col. Stanley’s military service was honored with the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal with the V Devise for valor, the Air Medal, Commendation Medal, the Prisoner of War Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Korean Service Medal, Col Stanley continued to fly with the Strategic Air Command (SAC) until his retirement from the Air Force in 1971. Upon his retirement, he welcomed a new career direction by accepting a position as Chief of the Georgia Bureau of Public Transportation. During this time, he attended Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA where he studied intermodal transportation. His successful career with the bureau spanned 23 years and he retired in 1994. Col. Stanley was honored by his hometown as the recipient of the Rocky Mount Rotary Club’s Patriot Award for 2005 and the 2006 Ferrum College Distinguished Alumni Award. As a proud member of the Sons of the American Revolution, he honored his forefathers and their fight for liberty. Active in his community, Jim was a member of St. James United Methodist Church, the Ferrum College Alumni Association, a volunteer fireman, a Rotary and Masonic Lodge member.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 to 2:00pm, on Wednesday July 20, at the Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home located 3321 Glynn Avenue, Brunswick, Georgia. Following visitation, there will be a memorial service at 2:00pm at the Edo Miller Funeral Home. A memorial service will also be held in Ferrum, Virginia at a later date. Final interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to St. James United Methodist Church, 9623 Franklin Street, Ferrum, Virginia, 24088 designated for expansion of the memorial wall.