He is survived by his sons Tim (Lucille) McElrath, Steve (April) McElrath, grandchildren Kelsea (Victor) Pacheco, Brianne (Joshua) Otto, Sean (Aliece) McElrath, and great grandchild Emerie Joy Pacheco.
Born in DesArc, Missouri to Onia and Rev. Harry McElrath, Stan was the youngest of three boys, and far enough behind the first two in age that he was the “only child” when the family moved to Casa Grande, Arizona in 1948, where Stan finished high school.
An honor student with a natural talent for the piano, Stan attended Pasadena College in California and the University of Arizona in Tucson, earning a music degree with plans for a career in piano performance.
But God had a better plan and called Stan to pastoral ministry. Stan and Patty’s partnership in ministry spanned four pastorates and 55 years at Nazarene churches in Avondale, Globe, Tucson, and Tempe.
A visitation for Stanley will be held Thursday, August 24, 2023 from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM at Lakeshore Mortuary, 1815 South Dobson Road, Mesa, Arizona 85202. A funeral service will occur Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Tempe Nazarene Church, 3929 South Rural Road, Tempe, Arizona 85282. A graveside service will occur Monday, August 28, 2023 at 9:00 AM at Green Acres Cemetery, 401 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85257.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LakeshoreMort.com for the McElrath family.
