Art M. Stanford

1930 - 2018

It is with great sadness that the family of Art Stanford announces his passing, at the age of 87.
Art was born in Detroit, Mich., and served in the U.S. Coast Guard on the East Coast before moving to Southern California, beginning his career in the insurance industry. He married Norma in 1959, and was blessed with three children: Pam, Jeff and Christine. In 1969, the family moved to Anchorage, Alaska, where he had accepted a management position with a two-year contract. The family remained in Alaska with Art continuing his career in the insurance business, retiring in 1996. In 1975, they built a home in Rainbow Valley, where they lived a few years making life-long friends.
As a youth, Art played the violin which led to his enjoyment in classical music. He was a regular attendee of the Anchorage Opera and Anchorage Concert Association events. Art also had a special interest in the philosophy of J. Krishnamurti, whose observations strongly affected Art's thinking about lifelong learning, rational human interaction and assessing and dealing with the challenges of everyday living. He especially believed how our early and on-going conditioning can exert significant influence over our ability to objectively address the aforementioned and other important issues.
Art never tired of the majesty of the Alaska landscape and was always thankful for the fortunate circumstances relating to his location, occupation, family and friends. Even throughout the duration of his illness, he continued to focus on the positives, good food, loving support and comfortable surroundings. He frequently referred to himself as "Lucky Art."
With their strong ties to Rainbow Valley, a small memorial was held before the annual potluck on July 4, 2018. A tree was planted with Art's ashes, and a Little Lending Library was dedicated to him.
He is survived by his wife of over 58 years, Norma Stanford; sister, Dolores Ainsworth of Ohio; son, Jeffrey and wife Liane Nagata of Anchorage; daughter, Pam and husband Steve Cody of California; granddaughters, Devon, Maile, Lauren and Madalyn; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Christine Stanford of Maui, Hawaii.