Calvin Dean Stanley

On the morning of January 24th at 7:15 AM Dad peacefully entered eternal rest from natural causes. He was with Family and Friends until his passing.

Dad was born at home in Stevensville, MT on February 16th, 1935 to Jesse (Smith) and Luther Stanley. He grew up in the Bitterroot Valley; namely in the Corvallis and Stevensville areas with siblings Hope, Rod, Gary and Linda. 3-year-old sibling, Leroy passed in 1941. Dad graduated from Corvallis High in 1953 at which time he relocated to Anaconda and went to work for the Anaconda Company. Also, in 1953 he met our Mother Carolyn Ruth (Stavanja) Stanley at the El Rancho Drive Inn which resulted in them going “steady” until Mom’s passing in 2012. Mom and Dad married on October 20th, 1956. Of this union; 2 sons were born, Michael Lynn and Kevin Curtis.

Dad worked for the Anaconda Company at the Smelter and Opportunity ponds for 32 years; spending 6 years in the Phosphate Dept. then went to the “Coal Pile”. He became a heavy equipment operator, running cranes, bulldozers, graders and payloaders. A couple of the notable things he did amongst being a very hard worker were helping erect the Annual Christmas Tree at the Kennedy Commons for many years and setting large beams during construction of Georgetown Lake Lodge using his crane operating skills. One of the cranes he operated, “The #5” sits at the gate entering the Old Works Golf Course in Anaconda. After the Smelter closed in 1980, Dad was one of the 8 men remaining and they did endless cover / reclamation work in “The Ponds”. That work took over 5 years to complete. He then moved with his skills to the molybdenum and copper loadout at Montana Resources in Butte for another 12 years, retiring Jan 1, 1998.

Dad had many interests in his lifetime. He worked especially hard at keeping the family home in great repair and the yard was always immaculately kept. He enjoyed snowmobiling, fishing, hunting and bowling over the years. He was also there to lend a helping hand, buck a bale or simply answer the call to contribute in helping our neighbors and friends in Opportunity.

Dad was fiercely protective of Mom and us Boys. Dad was a coach of the OVFD / Tuss Oil little league team for several years. He also spent many hours and countless trips to Stevensville helping our grandmother. In his retirement he rode “shotgun” and assisted Kevin with many of his duties at Granite Amusement. Dad truly loved our Cocker Spaniel, Muffin. Over the years he had many other animals with Shadow, Bozo, Chucky and Gus Gus. He also loved Mike and Gayle’s Boston Terriers Bella and Emee; Kevin’s multitude of critters including Jake, Rocky, Zeek, Zorro, Precious, Scout, Duke, Kimmbr, Bella, Fred, Figaro, Skye Blu and an orange tabby; Jesse (after our Grandmother Jesse). It was a nightly occurrence that he had to check sometimes seemingly half a dozen times to make sure our animals were inside and safe for the evening.

Dad and Mom thoroughly enjoyed their summer trips to Colorado to see Mike and Melissa and in 1977 we joined Mike in being Denver Broncos fans. Over the years Dad was a 30-year member of the Opportunity VFD, 50 plus year member of BPOE 239 and member of the Opportunity Community Club. He also served in the Army Reserves 796th Ordinance for 6 years with notables being a long-time friendship with Les Frank and they served with Robert “Evel” Knievel. Another of Dad’s favorite pastimes was walking to the “Store”; Solan’s Grocery in Oppor for the “Coffee Club”. Many stories, exaggerations, good company and treats were enjoyed.

Calvin is survived by his sons, Kevin and Mike (Gayle) of Anaconda and his “baby sister” Linda Reeder of Lolo, Grandchildren Melissa Stanley, Courtney Prosenick (DJ, Owen, Griffin and Liam), Trina Kent (Garrett and Ryker), Chris Forsman (Bobby and Blake), Sarah Grover (and sons, Timmothy, Jonas, Alex and Zak) Kori Robbins, Trevor Robbins, Cassandra Mann (daughter Amelia Crist) and many Nieces and Nephews. Surviving Cal as well, are dear friends Bill and Judy Fink, Stephanie Van Kirk, Kira Mott, Vicki and Leonard Ross and Donna Bahr.

Dad is preceded in death by his parents Jesse and Luther, Wife Carolyn, Sister Hope, Brothers Leroy, Rodney and Gary. Mother and Father-in-Law Anthony and Violette Stavanja, Sisters in Law Mary Ann and Nancy Stavanja, Brother-in-law Billy Stavanja and Nephew Rick Stavanja. Many happy Heavenly reunions took place on the morning of January 24 with Family and countless close friends that passed before him.

Celebration of life is 1 PM on Saturday February 7th at the Opportunity Community Club.

The family respectfully requests any memorials to Opportunity VFD, the Opportunity Community Club or an animal shelter of your choice. Thank You.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle is privileged to care for Calvin and his family.