James (Jim) Robert Stanley obituary

James (Jim) Robert Stanley of Wister was born Feb. 6, 1950 in New Castle, Pennsylvania and raised in Bessemer, Pennsylvania by his parents Robert and Sarah Stanley.  Jim passed away peacefully May 20, 2025 with his family close by him. 

Jim was a loving husband, “father”, grandpa and brother to his family and extremely loyal and caring to his many, many friends that he considered “family” as well.  Jim was a proud Christian and dedicated church and community member.

A memorial service is 1 p.m. June 14 at Dowden-Roberts Chapel in Heavener with Brother Brock Hardin officiating.  Attendees are welcome to dress in whatever makes them most comfortable. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Dowden-Roberts Funeral Home in Heavener.

Jim loved the outdoors, his motorcycle, his pets, and his wife, LouAnn of 27 years.  They were married April 1 in Las Vegas, Nevada by Elvis in the Graceland Wedding Chapel – one of his favorite stories.

He was a pitcher/outfielder on his high school team and enjoyed the sport, but his passion then and now was his motorcycle and exploring the great outdoors at every opportunity.  Jim started his career in HR-Benefits/Comp with Bell Atlantic through all their transitions to Verizon, where he retired the first time in 2003.  Except for a brief time at DART in Dallas and Golden Living in Fort Smith, Arkansas his entire career was in the telephone business.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents; his brother-in-law, Gabe DeMatteis; and “son” Brandon Jennings.

He is survived by his spouse, LouAnn Patrick Stanley, of Wister; son Travis Jennings and wife Betsy of Haslet, Texas; grandchildren Nikodem (Niko) Jennings, Aiden Jennings and (Eric Hanlyn), Seweryn (Sevi) Jennings, Ezekiel Mancia,

and Zain and Trevor, all of Texas; sisters Kay DeMatteis and husband Gabe (deceased) of Medina, Ohio and Roberta Humphrey of Wister; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Bryan Patrick and wife Sue of Scottsdale, Arizona and Brad Patrick and wife Lisa of Carefree, Arizona; over 25 nieces, nephews, cousins, great nieces and great nephews, close friends he considered family; his beloved pets Venus, Crystal, Kewpie, Commando and Ashton.

The family asks donations be made to the Gideons International (www.gideons.org), American Cancer Society (https://donate.cancer.org), VITAS Hospice, TX (https://vitascommunityconnection.org)  or worthy charity of your choice in Jim’s honor.  Family flower arrangements by The Gingerbread House of Wister.

The family wishes to thank VITAS Hospice, TX, OU Medical Center, and Baylor, Scott, White Hospital for their excellent and compassionate care of Jim.