Stanley Wayne Stooksbury passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 8, 2022.

He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Cindi Stooksbury of Norris, TN; sons Jason Stooksbury of Thunderbolt, GA and Andrew Sanford of Knoxville, TN; grandchildren, Dillon Neidlinger and wife Lindsey of Richmond Hill, GA, Ivy English and husband Nate of Richmond Hill, GA, Alyssa Stooksbury of Savannah, GA; great-grandchildren, Kayden Ford, Evelyn Williams, Asher Williams, and Eira English; brother Myles Stooksbury of Andersonville, TN; sisters, Karen Bumgardner and husband James of Clinton, TN, Sheila Allen and husband Richard of Andersonville, TN, Holly Stooksbury of Andersonville, TN. Stanley also leaves behind several nieces, and a nephew.

He is preceded in death by his father, Ulysses Stooksbury; his mother, Audrey Buhl Stooksbury; and brothers Avery and Neal Stooksbury.

Stanley was born August 31, 1953 in Lake City, TN. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in biology and wildlife management from Tennessee Tech in 1976 and 1977. He began his professional career with TWRA in 1978 as an assistant biologist, and later as a creel clerk on Norris Lake. In 1987 he became manager of the Tellico Trout Hatchery where he worked until 1991 when he was promoted to the position of Area Manager at the newly acquired Royal Blue Wildlife Management Area. Stanley and his loyal management area crew were beyond instrumental to Tennessee’s elk restoration project; releasing 50 elk onto the Royal Blue WMA on December 19, 2000. Stanley retired in May of 2013, after working diligently to build the management area from the original, approximately 43,000 acres to nearly 154,000 acres. Stanley’s loyalty and dedication to wildlife and lands preservation and restoration is beyond extraordinary.

Stanley’s love of children was put best by one of his dear friends, Rob Jaco: “Children’s eyes lit up when he spoke, telling stories in his quiet gravelly voice. They were enthralled, never knowing he was educating them on the ways of the wild and wildlife.”

Stanley will indeed be sorely missed by many; his afore mentioned loyal WMA crew, his beloved Obed River Boys, and too many close family and friends to even begin to mention.

In lieu of a formal service and flowers; utilize that time and money to take a child or young adult hiking, fishing, hunting, or anywhere among the beauty of the outdoors, to pay tribute to the love and spirituality that Stanley shared with nature.

The family has entrusted the care of Stanley Wayne Stooksbury to Martin Wilson Funeral Home “Where Families Matter Most.”

Stanley’s guest book may be viewed at www.martinwilsonfuneralhome.com.