Obituary of Clayton "Clay" C. Stanley

Clayton (Clay) Stanley, 81, of Greeley, Colorado passed away on March 7, 2023 at North Colorado Medical Center with family and friends by his side. Clay was born at the family homestead in New Raymer, Colorado to Edward Brooks Stanley and Velma Elizabeth Shapley on August 1, 1941.

He attended Midway school through eighth grade and then went to New Raymer High School. He also attended Mesa College in Grand Junction, Colorado. He served in the army from 1959 to 1961 in Landshut, Germany. As an entrepreneur, he was always busy with one project or another right up until his death. He married JoAnne Lambert in Leadville, Colorado in 1966 and they had two children, Elizabeth and James. They divorced 10 years later.

After the divorce, he joined the Peace Corps and served in Apia, Western Samoa. After serving in the Peace Corps, he came home to Greeley and worked for the railroad, became full time parent to his two children and took care of his father. He married Margaret Hall in 1988 in the church at Centennial Village in Greeley, Colorado.

Clay’s family then grew with the addition of Margaret’s son, Ryan. Some of his best times were traveling with Margaret on long road trips across the US and taking cruises to different parts of the world. Clay enjoyed meeting his friends for coffee at The Ranch Restaurant every morning and making the rounds to check on his property.

Family was important to Clay and family reunions at the homestead were the highlight of each year. He took care of everyone and was the glue that held the family together. Everyone looked up to him and came to him for the best advice knowing that he was a man of integrity.

Clay is survived by his wife, Margaret Stanley; children, Elizabeth (Dan) Thompson, James (Joleen) Stanley, Ryan (Robin) Hall; grandchildren, Morgan Thompson, Alexis Stanley, Austin Stanley, Dylan Stanley and Autumn Hall; great grandchildren Roman and Pierce Stanley; siblings, Marion (Vi) Stanley, Marvin Stanley, Edith Schwenn, Milly Fisher, Mary Allred, Carolyn (Dave) Hughes and Judy (Fred) Kummer and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Brooks and Velma Stanley, siblings, Gilbert, Bernard, Dan and Roberta Stanley and brothers in law, Howard Schwenn, Howard Fisher, and Rex Allred. Interment with Military Honors will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens 3400 W 28th St, Greeley, CO on Friday, April 14th at 2:00 pm.

Memorial Service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 3000 35th Ave, Greeley, CO on Friday, May 26th at 2:00 pm. Donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity in care of Adamson’s Mortuary. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.adamsoncares.com