Stanley Davis

Stanley Davis was an honest and hardworking man, who cared for everyone he knew, and he expressed this care through his generosity and willingness to always lend a helping hand. He enjoyed many things in life, traveling, fishing, cooking – but most of all, spending time with his family and grandson.

Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on October 24, 1954, Stanley was the oldest of three sons to Jack and Marillyn (Herrinton) Davis. Along with his younger brothers, Steve and Tom, Stan grew up in the small town of Marne, where he attended Lamont Elementary School and Coopersville High. Stan was an excellent student in school, and was active on the football, debate and golf teams and was a member of the National Honor Society. He also worked after school at White & White Pharmacy in Grand Rapids.

After graduating in 1972, Stan took classes at Western Michigan University for a year before moving to Traverse City to work at Munson Hospital, first in the OR and later as a buyer. It was during this time that Stan met Paula Fulford and they dated for about a year before being married in August 1978. They were soon blessed with a beautiful daughter, Abigayle, on November 25, 1982. Aside from his daughter, Stan was an animal lover and had numerous dogs and cats numbered to their family over the years, some of which included Nick, Tippy, Heather, Rusty Monster, Mona, Alphonse and Gaston. For a while, Stan worked for a student exchange program and later decided to host a student in his home, which grew to be 6 students over the years.

For a time, Stan lived in Rockford, Illinois, where he worked as a salesman for orthopedic implants for DePuy and later Bio Pro. In 2009, he moved back to Grand Rapids to be near his daughter and new grandson, Harper, who he adored. In his leisure time, Stan loved to travel, go fishing and was a huge sports fan, particularly of the Michigan football teams and the Detroit Red Wings. He also had season tickets for the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Stan was a great cook, especially of Italian cuisine, like carbonara, lasagna and Finnish pancakes, yet he liked eating just as much as cooking – he wasn’t a picky eater. Recently, Stan volunteered for Kids Food Basket and helped work on several rental properties.

On February 13th of this year, Stan suffered a debilitating stroke that left him completely paralyzed. Because of this, he was put on a ventilator, though with therapy he was able to be taken off it. About 2 months ago, Stan was sent to Spectrum Health, Kent Community Hospital, where he received wonderful care from the staff. He passed away on Monday morning, September 26, 2011, surrounded by his beloved family.

Stan was a loving and caring son, father, brother, grandfather and friend, who will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered.

Stan is now at peace and is resting comfortably. He is survived by his daughter, Abigayle Davis (Brian Samuels); his grandson, Harper Samuels: his mother, Marillyn Davis; his brothers, Steve and Lou Anne Davis, Tom Davis; nephew, Andrew and Kristn Davis and their sons, Wesley and Elliot: niece, Emily Davis: also his adoptive son, Alexsey Mastilenko; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.

Stan's body was donated to the University of Michigan for Medical Research. A service to celebrate Stan’s life will be held on Wednesday, October 5, at 11:00 a.m. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids. Relatives and friends may meet his family at the funeral home on Tuesday, October 4, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to Kids Food Basket, Spectrum Hospice or a charity of your choice. Please visit Stan’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may sign his online guest book and leave your own memory of him.