Darrell Stanley

Darrell A. Stanley passed away on Thursday, January 17, 2019, in Fresno after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Darrell's journey began on June 20, 1933, born to Lila Rae and Carl Stanley in Ducor, California. The growing family moved to Texas shortly and then to Chowchilla, CA. This is where Darrell's siblings -Anita, Vance and Janice -grew up and where Darrell became a standout football and basketball player and leader through his high school years. He went onto play football at Fresno State, and after he graduated; he stayed with the Bulldogs as an assistant coach. In 1958, he served as an assistant coach at Lemore High School and later became head football coach at Fresno High School. In 1963, he moved into school photography, and in 1964 began his scholastic schools sales career with Herff Jones where he eventually became a sales manager of five western states. During this time, Darrell met the love of his life, Erla, and they married on June 17, 1978. In 1981, he became self-employed with his own company, Graduate Services Ltd., where he worked with his son, Mark, until he retired in 2016. Darrell enjoyed sports, cooking, reading, and vacationing over the years with his children in Shaver, New Port, Maui, and Cayucos. Darrell was a proud father of five, grandfather of nine, and great grandfather of six. He spoke highly of them all and supported each of their goals and aspirations, encouraging them to reach their potential through hard work. Darrell is survived by his wife, Erla of 40 years, their son, Kyle; his other children and their spouses: Melanie and Tony Casares, Debbie and John Abel, Scott Stanley, and Mark and Debi Stanley; his sister, Janice Deniz; his grandchildren: Scott, Frank, Meredith; Patrick, Shannon, Brittney, Jonelle, Max, and Sam; his great grandchildren: Dylan, Makena, Caden, Frankie, Mireia, and Davey Jean. We would like to extend an invitation to Darrell's family and friends to join us in a celebration of life at TorNino's Banquet Hall on Saturday, February 16, 2019, at 11:00a.m.