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STAN RYLEY
July 13, 2000
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Stan was definitely a nephew to 'Wino' during the late 80s -through Stan's former marriage to Helen Cole......Wino's Wife Terry was her Aunt. AT THAT TIME, Stan was the Youngest member of BFMC being in his mid-50s and was employed then as the Service Manager at Merced Harley-Davidson. Stan was without a doubt Very Close with 'Wino'!
Subsequently Stan was most instrumental in reforming Chapter 5, which 'Wino' had assigned to him the 80s; while Stan was currently working at Ft. Ord as the Sr. Supervisor on the UXO/cleanup (Unexploded Ordnance) there! We had attended all the Runs in Hollister from 96 up to '99, staying with "Huck' and Maggie Huckabay. Bruce "Hardon" had come to our home, on many occasions hanging out in the garage with Stan and they guys; and I was terribly saddened to learn of his demise in 2001. We of course attended 'Wino"s funeral in Ft. Bragg. Someone has the group BFMC photos taken that day with Stan in it. He was the only one wearing a white floppy riding hat like Wino used to wear! While living in Marina and working at Ft. Ord, Stan was diagnosed with Cancer June 29, 1999. Subsequently it spread aggressively having been caused by his heavy exposure to agent Orange while doing 3 Tours in Vietnam 66-69 as a Navy Chief; including exposure to other carcinogenic chemicals as well. After several hospital stays and ongoing multiple and unfortunately unsuccessful treatments; on March 25th, 2000, Tony Tennyson, a co-worker at Ft. Ord, a former Navy Shipmate of Stan's, and who had become a Member of BFMC through Stan's sponsorship, (along with a few other BMFC 'brother's of Stan's from Ft. Ord: "Hawaiian Joe' Lee Hong and "Rick Arsenault") organized "Gunner's Run" ...a benefit event for Stan, at the Marina VFW. BFMC members from as far south as San Diego and I believe also few from up north in Grass Valley... attended. We were extremely grateful for the funds raised and for all those who donated such valuable items for the auction. The event was even covered and followed-up by the Salinas Newspaper 'The Californian" and the local TV KSBW Channel 8 had aired a short news video which included 'run' coverage Most of my photos from That time are still in Storage, though I may have a few around I can scan, upload and send. Here is one of my most favorite photos of Stan, wearing his BFMC colors, taken in our driveway at our home in Marina January 2000. This was the Very Last time Stan was able to go for a 'putt'. His motorcycle, a custom '89 Heritage, we fondly called 'The Millennium Falcon" was sadly sold later that month. Less than 4 months after "Gunner's Run". Stan succumbed to the cancers on thursday, July 13, 2000; at 11:55pm after laying in a coma for 3 days. He passed peacefully at home in our bed, as per his wishes; surrounded by family, friends and loved ones. Stan wished to be cremated and for me to keep his ashes close until such time that I die, then our daughters are to scatter our ashes off the Kona Coast from the Honokaa Harbor, where we met. There was no 'funeral', but his "Memorial' was held later in July, once again at the Marina VFW and organized by BFMC Brother Tony Tennyson et al, who went out of their way to make it exceptionally special. I was presented the traditional US Flag by a Navy Quartermaster, while there was a 3-gun salute as 'Amazing Grace' was played on the Bagpipes. Friends, Family and former navy Shipmates from all over, including Hawaii, attended. Stan was tremendously loved and cherished for touched everyone's' lives in a way none will ever forget. He was a prince among men; is still missed very much; but his spirit lives on because we love and remember him always.
Stan's Last Ride: January 2000 he had just turned 60....
Veteran's Day November 11, 1999 Marina, Ca having lost weight from radiation treatment & 3 days before Major Cancer Surgery in his neck!
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