Robert H. Stanley departed this life at the age of 85 on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at the Baptist Hospital in New Albany. He was born in Tupelo on December 26, 1937, the son of Luther and Dorothy Stanley. Bob grew up in Tacoma, Washington where his father built ships for the U.S. Navy. He served in the Army National Guard. Shortly after his high school graduation, he moved to Fairbanks, Alaska and became a barber and ladies hair stylist at a U.S. Air Force base. Seven years later he moved to Anchorage, Alaska and worked as a barber on a U.S. Army base. He also became a registered hunting guide and his time was split between doing hair and guiding big game hunters. An avid traveler, he spent months at a time abroad booking hunting expeditions in Alaska. He also spent many years in Ukiah, California and Salt Lake City, Utah. He opened his first salon inside the Captain Cook Hotel and began teaching at a cosmetology school in California. In the late 1990’s, he returned to his roots in Tupelo and worked for several years in the Food Court at the Mall at Barnes Crossing. Since he was not accustomed to sitting still, he began volunteering at the North Mississippi Medical Center in 2011. He said, “Life has been very good to me and it’s time to give back.” At North Mississippi Medical Center, he served in the food court, Information Desk, Ambassador Services, the Cancer Center, and the Wellness Center. In 2020, he was honored as Volunteer of the Year, having logged more than 10,000 volunteer hours.
Bob leaves behind his sister, Sandra Hoffman and her husband, Kent, of Draper, Utah.
Services will be 3 p.m. Saturday, February 25, 2023 at the Jefferson Street Chapel of Pegues with Bishop Joe Childs officiating. Chris West will deliver a eulogy. Burial will be in Beech Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be 2 p.m. until service time Saturday at Pegues, Tupelo.
Pallbearers will be Chris West, James Cannon, Brandon Hooper, Randy Lowry, Mark Westcott, Kurtis Olson, and Eric Prewitt.
Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be shared at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.
