John Russell Stancil, Sr.

SEPTEMBER, 16 1938-MAY 28, 2011RALEIGH- John Russell Stancil, Sr., 72, of 5405 Amsterdam Place, died Saturday, May 28, 2011, at the Durham VA Medical Center.A native of JohnstonCounty, he was the husband of Wanda Gail Ross Stancil, who survives, and the son of the late Callie Lester Stancil and Pearl Ellen Stancil.Russell served his country in the United States Navy, pursuing his dream of becoming a Naval Aviator.His dream and naval career ended abruptly due to a life changing accident. After a lengthy medical recovery, he made the decision to pursue a career of helping others who faced physical and mental challenges achieve their dreams and goals.He returned to EastCarolinaUniversity and earned a Master of Arts degree in Education.He then began a thirty year career serving others through the North Carolina Department of Vocational Rehabilitation Services as a counselor and administrator.The great loves of Russells life were his family and God.While rearing his sons, he served as a Little League baseball coach and Boy Scouts leader, and he enjoyed family and church camp outings at the beach and the mountains.He also managed to arrange for his family to receive a tour of the USS Nimitz which at the time was the largest air craft carrier in the United States naval fleet.He especially loved attending EastCarolinaUniversity football games and watching his sons, and later his oldest grandson, play along the sidelines and out on the field.Most recently, his two youngest grandchildren put a new spark in his life and twinkle in his eye.His Christian faith and family upbringing made him a wonderful role model for his children and grandchildren.Survivors, in addition to his wife of forty-one years, include his sons, John Russell Stancil, Jr., of Raleigh and William Callie Stancil and his wife Britt-Nicole, of Fuquay-Varina; sister, Frances Fish, of Fuquay-Varina; brothers, Carl Stancil of Angier and Robert Stancil of Lillington; and grandchildren, John Russell Stancil, III, Addison Riley Stancil, and Devan Ryan Stancil.Other survivors include many beloved nieces, nephews, and in-laws.In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by sisters Mary Rose Painter and Doris Stancil Chappell; and brothers Thomas Stancil and Ray Stancil.A funeral service celebrating his life will be held Thursday, June 2, 2011, 11:00 AM, at the Bryan-Lee Funeral Home located in Angier, NC.Burial will follow at LakesideMemorialGardens.The family will receive friends on Wednesday night from 6:00 to 8:00pm at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, and at other times at the residence.The family would like to thank the medical and home care staff of the Durham VA Medical Center for the excellent care and compassion given during his extended illness.