Charles Craig "Chuck" Stanley

Charles Craig "Chuck’ Stanley passed away, peacefully, in his sleep, at the age of 70, on February 25,

2025, while hunting with friends.

Chuck was born in Dallas, TX and grew up in South Houston and Pearland. He was a talented athlete and

while attending Pearland High School, he played football, basketball and participated in track. During

his junior year he and his fellow Oilers won the district football championship. During his high school

years he discovered his lifelong love of woodworking after taking a shop class. This time was also the

beginning of his interest in vintage motors and he traded in his first car for a GMC truck. Even though

part of the seat was missing, Chuck would defend his Jimmy saying “if you got situated just right, it

didn’t matter." in reality, leaving the broken seat was probably just a ploy to get his high school

sweetheart to sit closer to him when riding around town. It must have worked because his high school

sweetheart, Janet Schaffner, soon became Mrs. Janet Stanley. The two were married in December 1972.

They were blessed with two sons, Chuck Jr. and John David Stanley and fifty-two years of marriage.

Chuck started his career as a welder but later went to work for his parents at Stanley Sales Company in

Houston. He and Janet eventually became the second-generation owners where they worked until

retirement in 2013. They sold the company to the 3d generation owner, their son JD.

Chuck had a passion for riding motorcycles. It started with trail bikes and moved on to touring bikes, or

more specifically, to Harley Davidson motorcycles. In Chuck's opinion, it was a Harley or it wasn’t a

motorcycle. No matter where he traveled or how he got there, a visit to the destination’s local Harley

store was MANDATORY. He could open his own store with his extensive collection of T-Shirts. Chuck

and Janet toured the US and Mexico on his Harley, Recalling their first trip into the interior of Mexico,

where every other bike on the tour was a BMW, Chuck was asked to stay to the back of the group

because Harleys were notorious for losing parts. Indeed, he did lose a part on that trip.

Eventually, Chuck’s fondness for woodworking began to call to him once more. He began with small

projects, making pens and bowls. He claimed he was just making saw dust, but as many people can

attest, he was both creative and talented, though he was too humble to admit this. As this hobby

turned into a passion, and the size of his shop grew, so did his projects. He was always willing and

excited to make something for his friends, family and community.

Chuck and Janet moved to Praha in 2011 and made wonderful friends who became as cherished as

family. He learned to dance and to shed his self consciousness of being the big man on the dance floor.

His quiet country life as a cattle rancher was often interrupted by the planning of exquisite vacations by

Janet and their friends. Chuck was reluctantly good-natured about these trips, and enjoyed them

immensely, despite the grief he gave Janet about all the walking the trips entailed, He eventually gave

up his complaining and learned to just ask, “where are we going next?’

Chuck converted to Catholicism and was baptized in 2016. He was a very proud member of the Flatonia

Knights of Columbus. Most recently, he rediscovered his love for antique and vintage cars, finding joy in

participating in car shows, driving in parades and connecting with his fellow car enthusiasts at local car

shows.

Chuck was a big man with an even bigger heart. His affection was not always outwardly expressed, and

his emotions were not on display, but he loved his family and friends deeply and unconditionally. He

didn’t say much, and he never wanted to be the center of attention, but his warmth and kindness drew

people into his orbit anyway. Although he could hit you with “the look’; his priceless expression that

conveyed you had "messed up", without having to say a word; you know at the end of the day, he had

your back and you had his love. Even with his quiet and stoic demeanor, he touched everyone around

him in a profound way, and will greatly be missed by all. A loving husband, proud father, doting

grandfather, caring uncle and sincere friend, Chuck Stanley was a man who resides in the hearts of

many.

Chuck is preceded in death by his parents C.A. and Nancy (Craig) Stanley and his brother Steven Mark

Stanley.

Chuck is survived by his wife Janet, his sons Chuck Jr. (wife Monica), John David Stanley (wife Jennifer),

grandsons Nathan and Zander Stanley, granddaughter Sunny Quirke and Christy and Andrew Wootton

parents of bonus grandchildren Lanie, Katie, Will and Wes Wootton.

Chuck is also survived by his brother-in-laws Leo Schaffner (wife Kristine), Paul Schaffner (wife Donna),

and John Schaffner. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews including Sean Schaffner, and

Stephanie, Jennifer and Courtney Schaffner.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you honor Chuck's memory by donating to the charity of your

choice or to St. Mary’s in Praha. He would never ask, but Chuck would also simply accept your prayers

for his soul and for the healing of his family’s hearts during this time of profound loss.

Fond memories and words of comfort can be shared with the family at www.flatonia.smithfuneraltx.com 

A visitation for Chuck will be held on Thursday, March 6, 2025, from 4:00-6:00 PM followed by the 

recitation of the holy rosary at 6:00 PM at Smith Funeral Home in Flatonia, TX. A memorial mass will

be held on Friday, March 7, 2025, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Praha, TX and inurnment will be in 

the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Praha, TX.