Colonel James Riley “Jim” Stanley, USAF, Retired, departed this life on May 3, 2023, with his family by his side. Jim was born in Forrest, Mississippi on August 26, 1932, to Marvin and Lucy Stanley (née Gibbs). After graduating from Central High School in Jackson Mississippi, Jim received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
While home from West Point one summer, Jim met Eula Taylor on the tennis courts at the Battlefield Tennis Center in Jackson. After a brief period of courting, Jim declared he had two goals: one was to fly in the Air Forde, and the other was to marry Eula. The two were married on November 6, 1955, and had three daughters, Susan, Ann, and Kay.
Upon graduation from West Point, Jim entered the U.S. Air Force and became a fighter pilot. He flew the F-4 in the Vietnam War, attended the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at the Edwards Air Force Base in California, and received the silver star, the bronze star with clusters, the distinguished flying cross, and numerous other medals and awards. He also did an exchange tour with the U.S. Navy and flew 100 carrier missions off the USS Saratoga.
Jim received a Master’s in Aeronautical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology and also a Master’s in Business Administration from George Washington University. Jim retired at the age of 80 years old after working at Ergon, Inc. as a corporate safety engineer for many years.
In his free time, Jim could be found at River Hills Club of Jackson where he and Eula enjoyed playing tennis. He was an active member of the Rotary Club of Jackson and served as President and District Governor, and also active with Rotary International which afforded Jim and Eula multiple opportunities for international travel.
A member of St. Andrews Cathedral in Jackson for 42 years, Jim would organize blood drives for the church members. He was presented with a brick paver by Mississippi Blood Services for his donation of 56 gallons of blood, which helped save roughly 1,344 lives.
Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Eula, his daughters, Susan Hoxie, Ann Allen (Jeff), Kay Rector (Rob), and his sister, Mary Lou Deviney (Billy). He is survived by his grandchildren, Casey Pitts (Clayton), Corey Aiken (Robert), Taylor Mardis, Ryan Rector, Ross Rector, and Rachel Rector and six great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Paul Lewis Stanley.
Visitation will be at 10 A.M. on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at St. Andrews Cathedral of Jackson with the funeral to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Andrews Cathedral of Jackson or the Rotary Foundation.
