Douglas Snyder Stanley

1941 - 2022

Hon. Douglas Snyder Stanley
June 2, 1941 ~ June 4, 2022

Doug served boldly, loved fiercely, and lived joyfully!
Hon. Douglas Snyder Stanley went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus on the 4th day of June 2022, due to natural causes related to familial idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He was 81 years young. A fifth generation Yuman, Doug was born into a family which was a great part of the early Arizona City/Yuma Community. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. John Frank Stanley and Marian Snyder Stanley, his sister Pamela Karen Stanley Ross, and his brother Phillip Kenyon Stanley. He is survived by his eternal love/wife Caryl Lynn Rambo Stanley and their three children, Robyn Rambo Stanley, Christian John Stanley, and Joshua Snyder Stanley (Amy Beth Debolt); his grandchildren, Caleb Snyder Stanley (State Champ), Elias Joshua Stanley (Eli), Jakob Arthur Stanley, Christian John Stanley, Jr. (C.J.), and Cora Grace Stanley; and his loving cousins and devoted friends.

Descending from a long line of Yumans (going back to the 1800s), Doug attended 4th Ave Junior High, where he met his first band of brothers and his future wife, Caryl. He was beyond proud to be a Yuma High Criminal, an Arizona Wildcat (his undergraduate and law degrees), and a FIJI. He is a member of a family of 9 Arizona Wildcats, thus far. As an undergraduate, he was active in IFC as President and in regional/national IFC and Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) chapter leadership roles.

After graduation from UA undergrad, Doug married his sweetheart, Caryl, on July 27, 1963 at their church St. Paul's Episcopal in Yuma, AZ. He graduated from UA Law School in 1966. Doug served as a Captain in the U.S. Army for 2 years in the Adjutant General Corps, Berlin Germany. Daughter Robyn was born in 1968 while they were in Berlin. Upon Doug's honorable discharge in 1969, he returned to Yuma, started practicing law, and later served as the Yuma City Attorney, 1973-76, including prosecuting for the City. Sons Christian and Joshua were born in Yuma in 1970 and 1972 respectively.

Doug was in private practice from 1976 to January 3, 1997, when he was sworn in as Judge of the Yuma Municipal Court (a role his paternal grandfather, Saragosa Frank Stanley, held from 1915-1928, until his death while in office). Doug was continually elected Judge for 4 terms, between 1998-2013. His last 4-yr term, from 2010-2013, he served as Presiding Judge before retiring December 31, 2013.

Along his professional journey, Doug represented Yuma School District No.1 for over 20 years, successfully represented Arizona Western College in lawsuits that lasted over 10.5 years and which were twice appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States, served as prosecutor for the City of Yuma for 7.5 years, and served on the Arizona State Bar Ethics Committee and later the Peer Review Committee. He would often proclaim how wonderful it was to have served alongside such spirited and talented colleagues. Doug felt inspired by and called to serve and learn from his friends, family, profession, colleagues, church, and community. He helped many people throughout his career as an Attorney, Prosecutor, and Judge, and he achieved many things throughout his lifetime. Doug saw Jesus as a servant leader and aspired to be a servant leader, while also encouraging others to do likewise. He left an indelible impact on his family and friends and the Yuma Community. For those of us blessed to have been a part of Doug's fun and purpose-filled life, we are eternally grateful! Doug was quite the character with an unforgettable personality. He exuded joy, positivity, love, and energy and enthusiastically shared his love of adventures, laughter, stories, sports (esp. golf), music, dancing, fashion, food, history, learning, serving, and living his faith. Doug truly cherished his relationships with ALL his friends and relatives, especially his grandkids! He will be dearly missed!

Laus Deo ~ Hallelujah!

Doug's funeral service will be held Saturday, September 24, 2022, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1550 S. 14th Ave, Yuma, AZ 85364. We encourage you to wear red or a splash of red, Doug's favorite color (if you feel comfortable doing so). Thank you for rejoicing with us in having been gifted the love, faith, fun, and encouragement of one of God's faithful servants. We love you all and look forward to celebrating Doug with you!

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Yuma Food Bank, Samaritan's Purse, or your favorite charity.

Please sign the guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/yumasun