Leland Lloyd Stanford

1946 - 2022

Leland Lloyd Stanford
March 28, 1946 - January 26, 2022
Montgomery, Alabama - Montgomery, AL. Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, Lee Stanford, has lost his battle with cancer. For twenty-two years he valiantly faced down this terrible disease, trying every option and entering every test available. Though it was not easy, he always looked ahead to a possible positive outcome not the difficulty of the process to get there. With no complaint and constant good humor, he provided us all with a model of strength and the best of human nature.
Lee was born in Augusta, Georgia, the son of Martha VanDeusen and Lloyd A. Stanford. The family moved to Savannah where Lee spent his early years happily roaming the Isle of Hope. In 1954 they moved to Columbus, GA. There he quickly became engaged in youth sports and Scouting. He played Little League Baseball and Pop Warner football. He was elected to the Order of the Arrow and achieved his Eagle Scout rank along with attending the Philmont Leadership Center and the 1960 Jamboree in Colorado Springs. His love for and prowess in the outdoors, as well as his independent nature, (or maybe it was his 3 sisters in the house) was on full display as at the tender age of 9, he decided to live in an army surplus tent in the backyard and proceeded to do so for a couple of years. His love of animals led him to an early interest in herpetology. His continuous collection and care of various snakes was the cause of much chagrin to those same sisters and neighbors as well, but never his parents, who supported and encouraged him at every step. He also managed for several years to throw not one but two early morning paper routes.
He graduated from Columbus High School in 1964 and matriculated to Georgia Tech. He was an active and enthusiastic member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity but still graduated in 1968 with a degree in Industrial and Systems Management. He entered the United States Army as a 2nd Lt and spent 2 years on active duty before leaving as a Captain and serving 4 years in the reserves.
After his military service he moved to Johnson City, Tennessee and became a partner in a construction and carpet business. He earned his pilot's license and enjoyed every opportunity to log in hours in the air.
In 1983, he entered the civil service as Chief of Industrial Engineering with the 4th Civil Engineering Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, NC. In 1985 he transferred to Gunter AFS in Montgomery, AL to work in the Data Systems Design Center, now known as the 754th Electronic Systems Group. In 1990 he attended, in residence, the Air Command and Staff College. After graduation he held several different leadership positions before, in May,2005, becoming Program Manager, Air Force Enterprise Services Support Office.
In April,2007 he was recognized with a Government Executive and SANS Information Security Leadership Award at the Department of Defense in Washington DC. This infrequently given award recognizes "people and organizations that go outside their comfort zones to make major improvements in security that protect the nation and the world." He felt privileged and proud to have worked on this program. He retired from the civil service in 2008 and immediately went to work for STG and Nortel Government Solutions until again retiring in 2018.
Along the way he earned an MBA from AUM. He taught classes there and for Faulkner University to incarcerated men. He described this experience as very illuminating, worthwhile and interesting. He was an active member of the Montgomery Optimist Club, meeting his much-loved wife, the former Mary Mitchell, while participating in a club program in 2002. He was a member and Board member of the Capital City Club and an enthusiastic volunteer with the Montgomery Zoo. He supported the Montgomery Cancer Center in various ways, including Dancing with the Stars. He loved and could often be found playing golf and was very proficient at it!
Lest his friends not recognize the above-described saint, it must also be said Lee was "bad to the bone" in the best and most fun ways! He was the life of any gathering and loved nothing more than kibitzing around a golf course or sitting around a table or on the beach with family and friends enjoying fast repartee and a cold beverage or a glass of good Scotch! He was whip smart with a great sense of humor and always kind. He was adored by every child and every dog he met and will be missed by all who knew him.
He is predeceased by his parents and daughter-in-law April Stanford. He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Mary Dilg Mitchell Stanford. They shared sons Jeffery VanDeusen Stanford, Jason Brian Stanford, Philip Mitchell (Jamie) and daughter Dana M. Sikes (Patrick); grandchildren Brian Stanford (Courtney), Brittany S. Wenzelow (Stephen), Macie, Morgan, and Emily Stanford, Taylor Kennedy, Connor and Charlie Sikes, Erin and Patton Mitchell; great -grandchildren Addison and Vann Stanford, Jude, Lillee and Nolan Wenzelow- all of Montgomery; sisters Starr S. Herndon (Dr. Bud) of Arlington, VA, Martha S. Bickerstaff (Robert) of Columbus, GA and Jill S. Philips (Warren) of Montgomery and many nieces and nephews.
Plans for a celebration of Lee's life are pending.
The family is grateful for the many years of care given by Dr. Tim Morrow and Dr. Mac Barnes and the wonderful nursing care from his Hospice nurses Donna and Conecuh. Any expression of sympathy is appreciated, or memorials may be made to the charity of your choice or one of these special to Lee.
Montgomery Cancer Center -4145 Carmichael Rd, Montgomery, AL 36106 Montgomery Zoo- 2301 Coliseum Parkway, Montgomery, AL 36110