Stanley Jerome Brockway, of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Monday, September 25, 2023. He was born on July 6, 1931, to Joe W. and Ida Jane Brockway, in Cleo Springs, Oklahoma. Stan was the eldest of four children: two brothers, Laurence and Ron, and a sister, Toni. He earned a mechanical engineering degree from Oklahoma A&M College (now Oklahoma State University) in January 1954 and married his college sweetheart, Janet Cheré Roady, on May 23, 1954, in El Reno, Oklahoma.
After college, Stan was on active duty in the United States Air Force for two years as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer. He and Jan were stationed at Tachikawa Air Force Base near Tokyo, Japan, where their first daughter, Julie, was born. After serving in the Air Force, Stan took a job with Douglas Aircraft Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where daughter Nancy was born. At Douglas, he was involved with the design and production of the B-47, B-66, and XC-132 airplanes. Stan and Jan moved to Oklahoma City in 1959, where Stan started his civil service career at Tinker Air Force Base. Their third daughter, Pam, was born two years later.
In 1963, Stan and Jan moved their family to Huntsville, Alabama, where their daughter Melanie and son Joe were born. Stan was a civilian employee of the US Army, primarily focusing on missile defense systems, including Sprint and Safeguard. He retired from the Space and Missile Defense Command in 1987 and continued working on missile defense systems for the remainder of his career.
Stan had many hobbies and interests over the years, including aircraft, woodworking, philosophy, reading, British sports cars, slalom racing, and lifelong learning. He was a member of the Twickenham Auto Club and won many slalom races over the years. There was always a car in many hundreds of pieces in the garage as he pulled apart the engines. He built bookcases, fences, and rock gardens, and fired his own pottery. He also built many rodent cages for mice, gerbils, guinea pigs, and other critters, one of which resulted in an unintended rodent population explosion. While living in Tulsa, he built a swamp cooler for his family out of supplies he bought at Douglas’s surplus store, which he said, “worked about as well as the ones from the store.” In his retirement, Stan enjoyed a variety of classes with Olli at UAH, which allowed him to explore many different topics and connect with others. He valued the friendships he made in both Olli and his Glee and Perloo group. He maintained his intellectual curiosity and enthusiastic interest in other people into the last years of his life.
Stan and Jan loved to travel, often with their children and grandchildren. They were intrigued by the world’s cultures, which led them to explore Greece, China, Spain, England, and Alaska, among many other places.
Stan cherished time with his parents, his siblings and their families, and treasured the many family gatherings in Oklahoma, particularly for 4th of July and Christmas, calling them “the best of times.”
Stan was immensely proud of his children and grandchildren. He attended many ballet recitals, soccer games, basketball games, volleyball games, band concerts, and musical theater productions over the years. Stan encouraged his kids and grandkids to explore their curiosities, hobbies, interests and travel. He was often seen with a still camera hanging around his neck and carrying a camcorder on a tripod, always ready to capture the excitement. He is notably absent from photos, a testament to his commitment to chronicling everything from special events to the most mundane, everyday moments.
The phrase “courage of your convictions” and his name will forever be linked in the minds of those who knew Stan. He possessed a remarkable gift for articulating his beliefs and ideas. He found inspiration in engaging with others about shared and differing perspectives.
Stan had a profound dedication to lifelong learning, an unwavering love for his family and friends, and a commitment to preserving life’s most important moments. His impact and legacy will live on in the memories of those who were fortunate enough to know him.
Stan was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Janet Cheré Roady Brockway, his parents, Joe W. and Ida Jane Brockway, and his brothers, Laurence “Brock” and Ron Brockway. He is survived by his five children, Julie Arisco (Johnny) of Beaumont, Texas, Nancy Standeffer (Bill) of Tuscaloosa, Pam Clasgens (Brad), Melanie Felker, and Joe Brockway, all of Huntsville; his grandchildren, Christy Clasgens, Janie Clasgens Rutherford (Brandon), Jacob Brockway, and Sarah Brockway; his sister, Toni Purdy of Tonkawa, Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Jean Brockway Davis (Red) of Irving, Texas; nephews, Dan Brockway (Julia), David Lin, and John Lin; nieces, Laura Waite (Jerry), Denise Lewis (Vince), and Krista Hembree (Brian); Lynn Raines; and close family friend, Jennifer Humiston.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, September 29, 2023, at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at First Christian Church with the Reverend Paul Allen officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Alabama Arise or your favorite charity.
