Marion Jerome Stansell

Colonel Marion “Jerry” Stansell, beloved son of Grace and Marion Stansell, brother to Gloria Chananie, and uncle of Linda, Lauren and Steven, passed on April 19, 2021. He was 89. After graduating from Case Western Reserve University with a Master’s Degree in Biology, he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1955 and rose to the rank of Colonel. He became a career Air Force officer, with a long and distinguished career. In 1966, he obtained his PhD in Physiological Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin.

During his military career, he made many contributions to the Air Force and received numerous awards and medals, including the Air Force Research and Development Award, the Air Force Commendation Award, the Meritorious Service Award and the Legion of Merit. As an officer and with his doctorate in Chemistry, he took on many responsibilities, including such as: overseeing the Air Force’s biochemistry reference center; supervising and conducting extensive scientific research; and teaching as an assistant professor at the USAF Academy (where he was responsible for the pre-medical curriculum and personally taught six of the premed courses). During the course of his scientific research for the Air Force, he invented several patented medical devices and authored many research publications. At his retirement, Colonel Stansell was the most senior clinical investigator in the Air Force and was managing approximately 326 research programs.

As a deeply devoted follower of Jesus, everything that Jerry did was as if he was performing it for his Lord. This zeal was evident in every aspect of his life – in his walk with the Lord, in his profession, in his service to his country, and even in the perfection demonstrated in his lifelong amateur radio hobby. After retirement, Jerry continued to work as a volunteer in the clinical research division at Wilford Hall in San Antonio doing the exact same work that he had done while on active duty. He also became a key lay leader at Lackland’s Freedom Chapel. For over 30 years, he led the Protestant Men of the Chapel group and taught adult Bible studies twice weekly. He was a servant-leader deeply committed to serving his Lord and Savior. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) – to go “therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” – was a primal directive for this humble saint. He leaves behind so many who were touched by his love and devotion.

A short military funeral service will be held on June 7th at 1:30 at Pavilion 3 at the Fort Sam Houston Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. For those who wish, charitable donations may be made in Jerry’s name to Samaritan’s Purse.