In Memory

Stan Hailey

Stan Hailey

Stan Hailey was born January 12, 1944. His father was a career Navy man and the family traveled and lived in several places before they moved to South Gate where Stan and his brother, Jim (S'61), came to attend South Gate High.  Stan became good friends with Bob Helton and Roger Alpaugh, both S'62, and they were known as the "Three Musketeers."  They were good buddies and had lots of fun together!

Stan met his future wife, Helen, who went to Compton High School, at the Christian Chapel youth group in South Gate. They were just 16 and 17 and he went to her prom but didn't go to any of ours.   Being raised in a military family, Stan chose to go into the Navy right after high school.  We graduated on Friday and Monday morning he went to the Navy bus stop for San Diego.  He served from 1962 to 1965 and went to Vietnam on the USS Mount McKinley.  Stan and Helen were married July 10, 1964 and they moved to an apartment in Norwalk.  That August he was shipped out to Vietnam and thankfully came back in May.  Helen stayed in their apartment and worked as a dental assistant while Stan was overseas.  He was honorably discharged in 1965.  They have two children, William, born in 1966 and Cheryl, born in 1969.  

Stan worked on machinery and equipment as a maintenance engineer for several companies in the meat and food industry and he traveled back and forth to the East Coast to work for one company.  They moved around throughout the country from Norwalk, San Leandro, Park City, Utah, to Toronto Canada.  Eventually they moved back to California and had a home in Rancho Cucamonga for 26 years.  Health issues caused Stan to retire at 62 and they lived with their daughter in Victorville until they all moved to Pinon Hills.  

Stan loved to tinker with cars and build remote-controlled model airplanes and boats.  When they lived in Canada, he would launch them over a lake and he started a Lake Boat Club there.  He and Helen enjoyed playing golf and traveling to Cabo, Hawaii, and Iowa to visit family, until health issues stopped them. 

Healthwise, the last few years were difficult for Stan starting with bladder cancer surgery in 2007, a pulmonary embolisim, several infections, and a heart attack.  He was in a lot of pain due to cancer.  Stan knew and loved the Lord and He called him home February 23, 2023, just a little over a month after he turned 79.  That night, it was storming rain and snow!  Helen said their daughter Cheryl said, "He went out with a bang!"   

Stan is dearly missed by his loving wife Helen; son, William, his wife, Pauline, their son, Justin, his wife Amanda, and daughter, Vanessa; daughter, Cheryl Stahl, and her son, Hunter; and his brother, Jim; along with many dear friends.   Rest in peace, dear classmate!  You are missed but we will see you again.



 
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05/19/23 10:33 PM #1    

Judy Hanson (Dillard)

Stan was one of my "finds" and we talked a couple of times on the phone. I feel bad that he said we should touch base since he lived so close in Cucamonga but I had a lot going on and didn't make time. My sincerest condolences go to Helen, William & family, Cheryl & her son, and his brother Jim. He is pain free and home with his Heavenly Father and may he rest in Peace.


05/22/23 09:45 AM #2    

Bonnie Benson (Concialdi)

I remember that Stan was such a nice guy although I didn't really know him very well.  Recently, I was blessed to talk to his wife, Helen, and found out that she and Stan met at Christian Chapel's youth group, the church I grew up in.  What a small world!  My heart goes out to Helen and family.  I know their faith in the Lord will be a comfort and they will see him again in God's timing.   


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