Thomas “Tom” James Stanley passed away at his daughter's home in Las Vegas surrounded by many children and grandchildren on August 4th. Tom was predeceased by the love of his life wife Helen. He will be profoundly missed by his five children Steve, Pam, Theresa, Laura and Maria; his 13 grandchildren Keith, Kevin, Megan, Anna, Sean, Kevin Jr., Tom, Kelly, Shannen, Bridget, Gavin, Sara and Madison; his six great-grandchildren Nicholas, Nathan, Teddy, Mikey, William and Addison and; his four sons-in-law Garnet, Kevin, Chris and Alan.
Tom was born in Dayton, OH to Jim and Jane Stanley and had a younger brother Jim. The family moved to Hawthorne, CA in the 1940’s. Tom attended Leuzinger High School where he played several varsity sports including varsity football. At age 19, he enlisted in the United States Navy serving proudly on the USS Kearsarge and USS Oriskany. Tom’s last tour was on the USS Bairoko during Operation Castle, a series of atmospheric nuclear tests by Joint Task Force 7 at Bikini Atoll in the South Pacific, where he experienced not one, but three thermal-nuclear and nuclear detonations including Shot Bravo. After the Navy, Tom went to work for Northrop Aviation. He would later become a firefighter for the City of Vernon, California. He attended El Camino College studying Fire Sciences. He owned a residential construction company “Stanley's Construction” building and remodeling homes throughout Southern California on his days off. After retiring from City of Vernon he went to work for Hughes Helicopters in Marina Del Rey where he became the of Manager of Fire Safety and Security. He was affectionately called their “Diamond in the Rough”.
In the Summer of 1953, while on leave, Tom met and married Helen Jean Kutis of Los Angeles. They made their home in Redondo Beach, CA where they raised five children. Tom and family were active members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Roman Catholic Church and School in Hermosa Beach, CA. Tom spent many years coaching Pop Warner football. His children have many fond memories of boisterous family holidays, camping, and annual summer car-vacations across the Southwest. A family favorite was hiking in Utah’s Zion National Park. Tom would take the family anywhere they wanted to go, as long as the trip ended in Las Vegas so he could hit the tables and buffets. Tom was a self-taught builder and craftsman. He enjoyed lending his carpentry skills to his family - building fences, custom shelving, cabinets and furniture. Tom and Helen spent many enjoyable years attending children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events.
Thomas and Helen retired to the State of Washington settling near two of their daughters. They enjoyed living and exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Following Helen’s passing Tom moved to Las Vegas to live with another daughter. There he loved visiting the casinos and local eateries with family. He was a huge fan of his beloved Ohio State and USC football teams and thoroughly enjoyed TV game-days with his son-in-law and grandsons. Tom was known for his incredibly strong work ethic and love of family and country.
Tom will be laid to rest at the U.S. Tahoma National Veterans Cemetery in Kent, WA. Private services are being planned for a later date due to COVID related restrictions and precautions. Arrangements under the care of Palm Southwest Mortuary in Las Vegas, NV.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
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