Michael Richard Stanbery

Michael was raised in Toledo, Ohio, and attended the University of Toledo, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1970, taught English in Vietnam, and was later stationed at Grissom Air Force base as Staff Sergeant. Shortly after their first child was born, Michael and his first wife, Veloria, moved to Durango, Colorado. He spent more than 30 years in Durango, first helping to build Tamarron Resort for his father-in-law and later working at the United States Postal Service. He joined St. Columba Catholic Church, where he was the choir director for more than 25 years and spent many years performing with the Durango Choral Society. Through his love of family and community, Michael volunteered with local charities, made many friends, and devoted lots of quality time to his girls.

Michael met and married Paula Blizzard in 1999, and they relocated to Tennessee after retiring in 2006. Michael couldn’t stay retired for long, however, and became a substitute teacher covering many subjects. His continued love of music and teaching led him to directing a local church choir and performing with the Knoxville Choral Society. He lent his beautiful, booming, bass voice to various choirs after moving to Dallas in 2014 and also once he arrived in Phoenix to be closer to his daughters in 2018, including the Silver Serenaders of Peoria.

Michael is survived by his wife Paula; brother Stephen of Ohio; daughters Jill [Michael] Yeager and Dawn [Chris] Megles, grandchildren Cody [Gabby] Yeager, Dylan [Nikki] Yeager, Emma Yeager, Mattie [Taylor] Osten, Logan Megles and great grandchildren Hannah, Spencer, Liam and Penelope, with his fifth great grandchild, Jeremiah, arriving in a couple weeks, all of Phoenix; step-daughters Connie [Scott] Thompson and Kimberly, grandsons Gray & Cain Thompson, Brian Malone and Kyle Kinker.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sanford and Alice, and his youngest brother Paul.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (phassociation.org). This disease took him from us far too soon and he is greatly missed.