Obituary of John Riley Standfield

John, 66, passed away at St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Washington on Sunday, May 5, 2013. He was born to Charles Leroy and Thelma Colvin Standfield on November 26, 1946 in East Prairie, Missouri. John began a 27-year career with the United States Army in 1965. During his time of service, he was stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC (1968-1971), Vietnam (1971-1972), Ft. Bragg (1972-1976), Bad Tolz, Germany (1976-1979), UNC-Cullowhee, NC – ROTC and Rifle Team Coach (1979-1982), Ft. Bragg (1982-1985), Birmingham, AL – 20th Special Forces Advisor Army Reserves (1985-1989), and Ft. Lewis, WA – Special Forces (1989-1992). He retired as a SGM in 1992. On April 20, 1969, he married Billie Catherine Tharpe in N. Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The family travelled with his military career, settling in the Olympia area in 1989. He began a second career with the Washington State Dept. of Corrections in Shelton, Washington from 1992 to 2004. John kept active with his family, including serving as Scout Master in the Boy Scouts of America for several years in various locations. He enjoyed the Mariners baseball, Sudoku puzzles, rebuilding and using computers, and watching TV with his wife. John was dedicated to always doing his best and being fair in his careers. He always put his family first. He had a positive and happy sense of humor. John was so thankful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which he joined in 1976. He always loved to “home teach” his fellow members. His life’s goal was to be of service to others and be a witness of his love for Our Savior. He considered himself extremely blessed. John is survived by his wife of 44 years, Billie Catherine Tharpe Standfield of Olympia; sons, Mark Edward (Jette) Standfield of Lindon, Utah; and Jared Evan (Cory) Standfield of Olympia; sisters, Voncelia Calhoun of Grubbs, Arkansas and Judy Hogan of Mechanicsville, Maryland; brother Chester L. Stanfield of Stockton, Missouri and Raymond Standfield of Texas; and five grandchildren. John also had grown to accept and refer to Jared’s wife, Cory, as his daughter. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Thelma; brother, Joe; and sister; Carolyn Rainwater. Memorial services will be held Saturday, May 18, 2013 4:00 p.m. at LDS Nisqually Chapel, 9341 4th Ave NE, Olympia, WA 98516. Private inurnment will be held with Military Honors at Odd Fellows Memorial Park, Tumwater, WA. Family suggests memorial donations be made to Boy Scouts of America. Please leave memories of John or condolences for the family in the Guestbook below.