Cortez Stanley

Cortez G. Stanley, 79, of Anita, Iowa, was called home, Thursday, June 14, 2007, at Colonial Manor in Anita.

Cortez Gordon Stanley, Jr., was born on October 26, 1927, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Cortez Gordon and Alice Irene (Hamby) Stanley.

Cortez joined the United States Navy at the age of 17. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol, Coast Guard, and was a SeaBee's during WWII. Cortez was aboard two ships while serving his country in WWII, the USS Butner and the USS Florence Nightengale.

On June 14, 1952, he was married to Barbara Hauser in Entrican, Michigan. They moved to Anita from Greenville, Michigan in February of 1964.

Cortez worked various jobs. When first moving to Anita he drove truck for Howard Sober. Cortez was hired to be the Anita Police Officer on November 5, 1973. He retired from duty in 1989. He also served as Deputy Sheriff in Cass County for a short time. Cortez was a school bus driver for many years, worked at Watkins Distributor, delivered the rural newspaper, and had his own drain cleaning business.

He was a member of the Anita United Methodist Church, Anita American Legion Post #210, West Central Board and Senior Advocacy. Cortez was a Boy Scout Troop leader and was the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award. He was Santa Claus for many years and also helped with the Whale-A-Thon Triathlon. Cortez and Barb were Citizens of the Year at the Apple Blossom Festival. He and Barb helped a lot of people while living in Anita. They were active in the Food Pantry and getting gifts to children at Christmas time.

He and the family enjoyed tent camping and taking their converted school bus camper traveling. He loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When his grandkids and great-grandkids would walk in the door he would always say, "Hello, Beautiful." Cortez frequently told his children that he was a lucky man to have Barb. Cortez was well known for his sense of humor. All the "Georges" will miss him.

Cortez is survived by his wife, of 55 years, Barb of Anita; daughter, Kathy Fagan and her husband, John of Adair, Iowa; sons, Jim Stanley and his wife, Anne of Elizabeth, Colorado, Alan Stanley and his wife, Earlene of La Monte, Missouri, and Rick Stanley and his wife, LuAnn of Anita, Iowa; grandchildren, Bethany Kintigh and her husband, Nick of Greenfield, Iowa, Matt Fagan and his wife, Monica of Adair, Iowa, Jill Ackelson and her husband, Jeremy of Berwick, Iowa, Jenny Armstrong and her husband, Tyson of Polk City, Iowa, Katie Fagan of Adair, Iowa, Aubrey Stanley of Dunedin, Florida, Dennis Stanley of Aurora, Colorado, Jamie Stanley and her fiancé, Derek DeWitt of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Jeremiah Stanley of Elizabeth, Colorado, Jason Colt Stanley of Warrensburg, Missouri, Jessica Stanley of La Monte, Missouri, Adam, Taylor and Devin of La Monte, Missouri, Heather McCann and her husband, Carl of Newton, Iowa, and Alice Pankonen of Adair, Iowa; great-grandchildren, Paisley and Dax Kintigh of Greenfield, Iowa, Carley and Belle Fagan of Adair, Iowa, Riley Ackelson of Berwick, Iowa, Greg and Derek McCann of Newton, Iowa, Bridgett Pankonen of Adair, Iowa, and Cody of Missouri; brother, Richard David Stanley of Memphis, Tennessee; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Joseph Perry Stanley III; sisters, Thelma and Betty; and a brother in childhood, Joseph Perry Stanley.

Funeral services will be 9:30 a.m., Monday, June 18, 2007, at the Anita United Methodist Church with The Reverend Annette K. Ruhs Kruse officiating.

Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery.

Visitation will be Sunday, from 1 to 8 p.m., with the family present to greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Hockenberry-Mullen Funeral Home in Anita.

The family suggests memorials to the Anita American Legion, Anita United Methodist Church and the Anita Food Pantry.

Hockenberry-Mullen Funeral Home in Anita is in charge of the arrangements.