Dates
Jesse "Jess" Edgar Stanford of San Angelo passed away May 17, 2026 at the age of 94. He was born March 13, 1932 in Bellevue, Texas, to parents Edgar Lee and Flora (Shelley) Stanford.
As the third of four children, Jess lived a rugged life during the Depression during which he learned early to ride horses, attended the Methodist church where his father pastored, and held an assortment of jobs including shining shoes, delivering milk, and many other odd jobs. He graduated from Amarillo High School in 1950 and went on to community college before studying business and ROTC at Southern Methodist University, where he graduated in 1954. While working in the SMU cafeteria, he met Brooks Robinson, whom he later married and with whom he had four kids. Upon graduation, his first commission in the Air Force during the Vietnam War landed him at Perrin Air Force Base in Sherman, Texas. From there he moved to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, where all four of his children were born. The Air Force relocated him abroad to the Philippines as well as stateside at the NSA in Maryland, Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, and then to Wright-Patterson AFB outside Fairborn, Ohio.
Every move became a family adventure. The move to the Philippines was a cruise filled with costumes from Gone with the Wind. The trek to Maryland involved a ride on the Chattanooga Choo-Choo while the move from Maryland to San Angelo became an RV adventure. From the heavy snows of Ohio that followed the family all the way to Bronte before arriving in San Angelo, Jess "Dad" made travel fun. He retired in May 1978 after twenty-three years in the military, through which he achieved the rank of Colonel, and returned with his family to San Angelo.
Not one to remain idle, Jess acquired a position as Personnel Director for the City of San Angelo due to his business acumen and personnel experience. He was later promoted to Assistant City Manager under the direction of Stephen Brown. He worked for the City of San Angelo for twenty-three years and kept in touch with former colleagues at his weekly lunches after his retirement in 2001. Even then, Jess, who exhibited an unmatched work ethic, decided that selling real estate was another way to serve others. After serving in the military for twenty-three years and working for the City for twenty-three years, Jess sold real estate for yet another twenty-three years, well into his eighties. Prior to his retirement from the City of San Angelo, he met up with his former secretary, Glenda. After a sweet and dazzling courtship, the two married on September 5, 1998.
Throughout his life, he remained passionate about his involvement at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Among a host of activities, he devoted his time to the search committee for new priests as well as dedicating his efforts as a Vestry member. Clearly, caring for others was a hallmark of Jess’s life both professionally and personally.
Jess is survived by his wife of twenty-seven years, Glenda Stanford and by his four children Patrick Wade Stanford and his wife Brenda; Michael Jay Stanford and his wife Elizabeth; Wendy Leigh Stanford-Pierce; Gary Alan Stanford and his wife Catherine, and his stepson Robert J. Fuller and his wife Jo. Additionally, Jess is survived by seven grandchildren and step-grandchildren: Brandy Stanford, Virginia Stanford, Michael Acosta, Adriana Hernandez, Sydney Pierce, Tori Pierce Cadwallader, Casey Pierce, Kelsie Stanford Morales, Bethany Stanford Frailey, and Kyle J. Fuller. Jess is also survived by ten great-grandchildren.
Though Jess was the last of Edgar and Flora Stanford's children, he is also survived by his nephews and nieces Travis Tadlock, Elaine White, Carolyn Saul, Jon Stanford, and Jena Siedler.
Jess is predeceased by his sisters Dorothy Sue Tadlock and Arvalee Saul and his brother Paul Stanford.
Services to commemorate the life of Jesse E. Stanford will be held Friday, May 22 at 11:00 a.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in San Angelo, Texas, officiated by Father Matt Rowe and followed by a reception in the Parish Hall and a graveside service with military honors at Fairmount Cemetery. Harper Funeral Services will be handling funeral arrangements.
The family would greatly appreciate all gifts or memorials to be directed to Emmanuel Episcopal Church where Jess served His Lord with his gifts and abilities.