Dr. James P. Stanley

On June 6, 2024, Dr. James P. Stanley of Atlanta, Texas heard his Lord and Savior say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." James Stanley was born on October 25, 1929 in Cass, Texas to Louis and Otelia Stanley. Originally, James attended Texas State Teacher's College acquiring his degree and teacher certification. After a brief stint of teaching, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He took great pride in his service to his country achieving the rank of Lieutenant. After leaving the Air Force and working at Lone Star Steel, he continued his education at the Baylor College of Dentistry. After graduation, he moved his family back to Atlanta where he practiced dentistry. Later he completed the orthodontics program at Baylor College of Dentistry and practiced in Atlanta for 32 years where he appreciated hard work, his patients, and the profession.
Above his professional successes, James valued the love of his life, Donna Beck Stanley, and expressed that sentiment to the end. Their marriage of 73 years was a biblical example of steadfast commitment and unfailing love. Fiercely devoted to his family, James was the epitome of a true patriarch who shared priceless wisdom and life experiences with loved ones.
Dr. Stanley loved challenging bicycle races well into his eighties, even riding his bike from Atlanta to Hot Springs, AR "just for fun." He enjoyed a good cup of Yuban coffee, intense ping pong matches, restoring his 1963 Corvette Stingray convertible, and tinkering on engines of all kinds.
James was a dedicated member of First Baptist Church Atlanta where he served as Head Deacon multiple times, taught Sunday School, and mentored countless people to seek Christ above all else. He was committed to memorizing and quoting scripture. With his eyesight failing in the last few years, he relied on memorized scripture and even recited the Christmas Story from the second chapter of Luke to his family at Christmas time. James Stanley intentionally lived out his faith, finishing his race with great love and obedience to the Lord.
James was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Otelia Stanley, his brothers, A.L and Bobby Stanley, his sister, Sarah Murphy, and his grandson, Simon Caver.
James, affectionately known as Daddy and PawPaw, is survived by his loving wife, Donna Stanley, his children and their spouses, Jim and Phyllis Stanley, Danny and Leigh Stanley, and Donna Ann and Tom Caver; his grandchildren and their spouses, Callie and Jason Spivey, Tammy and Chris Lummus, Sam and Bliss Caver, Jill and Cody Howard, Tracey Smith, Erin and Steven Lambeth, Kristy Caver Wendel, and Bret and Stephanie Stanley; his great-grandchildren and their spouses, Claire and Silas Henderson, Blake Lummus, Kate and Casey Smith, James, Violet, Maggie, and Hardy Caver, Madelynn and Kade Hill, Brooklynn and Hollan Howard, Luke, Lee, and Landry Smith, Bradley, Kate, Ella, and Bryce Lambeth, and Blaire and Walker Stanley; and his two great-great-grandchildren, Beck Henderson and Adalei Hill.
The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Tim O'Kelly, Nita Little RN NP, Hands of Wisdom, and Heritage Hospice for their exceptional medical care and loving treatment.
The celebration for James' life will be held at First Baptist Church Atlanta on Monday June 10th, with visitation starting at 9 AM, and the service following immediately after at 10 AM. Internment will be at Pine Crest Cemetery.