Benny Alan Stanley

Benny Alan Stanley, 65, of Amarillo, passed away surrounded by family on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

A celebration service will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Family Life Church, with Karen Wells, Jim Bayless, and Robbie Ashlock presiding.

Benny Alan Stanley was born on July 13, 1959, in Amarillo, Texas. Bennie Joe Stanley and Cletha Lee Stanley were proud parents. Debbie Kirk and Bill Stanley were excited to have a 3rd child for their circus tricks.

Growing up, he had many friends. I honestly don’t think Alan ever met a stranger who didn’t soon turn into a friend.

He learned how to play “Smoke on the Water” on his electric guitar. He only knew 13 notes, but he could sure play it loud! In fact, it didn’t really matter what song we sang in the youth choir, he had a rendition of those chords to match it up.

And don’t forget The Van! Oh, if you know Alan, you know the Van I am talking about! Rock cabinetry, a water bed, and a very fancy stereo.

Yes. A water bed. He won trophies with that van!!

I remember one weekend those of us in the youth choir went to the mountains. Alan drove his van. We sat up instruments and equipment in a one-wall “room” and he played those chords and we sang. It was really wonderful hearing our voices echo across the mountains - and yes, some Smoke on the Water too!

The next day some of us rented scooters and Alan and his Boys rented mini-bikes. We might have broken some laws that day, but we definitely had fun!

It was the same weekend that Alan asked me to marry him the first time. Knowing that neither one of us was ready for a committed relationship, I said no. And he threw a pizza box at me. He always said he was not aiming at my head, but it did come close.

Our youth minister said we were destined for marriage, but I wasn’t nearly so sure.

We each went separate ways, but we remained good friends. He married a girl I was friends with in school, and I married a complete stranger.

Alan was a hard worker. He worked alongside family members building service stations.

He always knew when to let his hair down to have fun also. He loved Harley Davidson motorcycles, but there were times he gave into his need for speed. He went from one sports utility vehicle to the next with fluidity - dirt bikes to jet skis to three wheelers to four wheelers to 4-wheel-drive-off-road-vehicles.

When you are friends with your soulmate, even if you don’t plan it, a predestined set of occurrences can make the stars align in such a way that there is no doubt that God is planning something.

I was home with Joi for my and Moma’s birthday. We were heading off on some adventure, when she saw Alan washing his motorcycle at his parents’ house on Georgia Street. My Moma did a u-turn on Georgia Street and went right up to the front of their house!! I went to introduce my one-month old Joi to my good friend. He held her in his big ol’ hands and said, “This is the closest I will ever have to a daughter.”

Neither one of us heard God laugh with delight, but looking back on that moment, I feel sure He did!

A year later, after our first marriages had crumbled, God began to build our lives together. I learned early on about Alan and his hugs. They were fierce hugs with intention and strength. He asked me a second time to marry him and I told him yes, but told him he would need to ask my Daddy first.

The day that we married in 1982, we promised each other that we would always pray for each other, for family members, and for friends. Anyone who knew Alan knew that he had a pray-er’s heart. And anyone who knew him, knew without a doubt that he loved with all of his soul. He always knew when I needed him to reach out to hold my hand. He just knew.

He continued to work with his family at Allied Pump Company. He began his support of my educational endeavors to be a teacher.

We also found time for lake trips, mountain cabin trips, and even some trips to the river. Alan was always super proud when the vehicle we were driving was able to pull a motor home, motorcycle trailer, AND the jet ski trailer all hooked together.

When the time came along for Leah to enter our world, I think Alan thought he had it all figured out. He took on those Daddy-challenges whether it was teaching them to ride 4 wheelers; showing them how use power tools; driving marching band equipment trailers to football games; or dancing the Macarena at volleyball games.

Alan loved going on mission trips to Creel, Chihuahua, Mexico. He worked with crews to build houses, pour concrete, paint, and even dig up ditches to run water lines to the new showers behind the church. He always had a smile on his face as he worked with kids, teaching them how to use tools correctly, and just having a good time in a strange place.

He would get so very excited when there was news about our growing family. Whether it was putting his future sons-in-law through rigorous questions as they asked for our daughters’ hands in marriage, or listening at hospital doors for our grandchildren’s first cries. When he was given new information, he tried ever so hard to not let the cat out of the bag early. He would “only tell one person”.

Benny Alan Stanley:

A friend - A musician (of sorts) - A Harley enthusiast - A soulmate - A hugger - A Spouse and Daddy - A pray-er - A hand holder - A supporter - A driver and dancer of the Macarena - An encourager and builder - A secret-keeper (sometimes) - A Popo

There are so many words that can be used to describe Alan. Honestly, I could go on and on, and I don’t think you would ever get the full picture.

When he left this place on April 30, 2025, for that greater place, he left a chasm in each heart and each soul that knew him.

But he also leaves A Legacy:

wife Teresa

2 daughters Joi and Leah

2 sons-in-law James and Christopher

5 grandchildren Josslynn (17), Jayleigh (12), Claire (11), Ian (8), and Jackson (6).

His legacy also includes every person who ever met and loved him - whether you called him Benny, or Alan, or Stanley.