Obituary of David Lee Stanley

LTC (Ret.) David Lee Stanley, 68, of Fayetteville, NC passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 7, 2022 after a long battle with cardiac related health issues.

A native of Colfax, NC, David was the husband of Joyce DeDominicis Stanley and the son of John Henry Stanley and Avahlee Gray Stanley, both deceased. He left Colfax to attend Central Wesleyan College (now Southern Wesleyan University) where he met and married Joyce. He was in Army ROTC and was commissioned upon graduation. He obtained his master’s degree at Clemson University before entering active duty. He honorably served for 26 years in a wide variety of positions, then taught Junior ROTC at Union High School in Sampson County for 5 years before retiring on disability due to his cardiac condition. Fueled by a passion for Civil War history, he created and commanded Reilly’s Battery 5th US troops in 1995, trained and led the horse-drawn unit on many a reenactment/living history adventure over 20+ years. More recently, he was less active, but enjoyed the retired life on the farm with his wife, horses, chickens, ducks, cats and dog.

He was known for his quick wit, love of history, fierce loyalty to his family, and quirky personality.

Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Joyce, and two daughters, Leah Sheaffer and husband, Matthew stationed at Ft. Campbell, KY, and Lindsey Wicks and husband, Clayton stationed at Monterey, CA.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3:00 PM Sunday, July 10, 2022, at Shady Grove Wesleyan Church in Colfax, NC, with Rev. Kim Dowdy Fowler and Rev. Todd Reynolds officiating, followed by a grave-side service in the church cemetery. The family will greet friends from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM Sunday prior to the service at the church.

Friends and family may view, and sign the guestbook at www.Pierce-JeffersonFuneralService.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project at:
https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org