Earl Bryan (Red) Standley, Jr., 84, of Clayton went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, April 2, 2010. He was born at Sobol, Oklahoma on July 5, 1925. His father was a school teacher and wanted him to be in that profession, but his dream was to be a real cowboy. After finishing high school, and working at Oklahoma State University with cattle, and serving in the U.S. Army, he started his dream in west Texas, which was his favorite place because it was done on horseback, the " old" cowboy way. He returned to Oklahoma from Texas and began playing in a country and western band. They were to cut a record, but a week before, he accepted Christ as his savior and gave up the idea of becoming a country music star. Red later worked in several states with some influential people including Arthur Godfrey in Virginia, J.C. Penney in Missouri and Matlack & Matlack of Florida, an oil transport company out of Pennsylvania. In Virginia, Red helped restore Waterford Meeting House back into relationship with the Southern Baptist Convention. The church had been considered dead for some time. After moving to North Carolina, he became a member of Baptist Center Church where he served as deacon, Sunday School teacher and music director for twenty-three years. He loved hymns and gospel music. He has lived a long and fruitful life serving God. Red and his wife, Willa, of fifty-nine years had five children. He was proceded in death by his son, Randy Standley. Survivors include wife, Willa Standley, a son, Joe Standley and wife, Kim of Clayton; daughters and sons-in-law Cherri and P.V. Stone of Kenly; Ginny and Harry Huddleston of Clayton; Kay and Robin Johnson of Clayton; brother and sister-in-law Harold and Willie Standley of Arkansas and sister, Freda Rush of Oklahoma. Grandchildren include Phillip and Heidi Stone of Kenly, Sora Standley of South Korea, Jody and Angela Standley; Joseph Standley; Chad Johnson; Brad Johnson, Andy and Amanda Standley and Sandy Standley, all of Clayton. There are also five great- grandchildren. Funeral service will be held Sunday, April 4, at 5 p.m. at Baptist Center Church with Pastors Doug Baker and Robert Brooks officiating. The family will receive friends at the church, one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Baptist Center Church, 2163 Ranch Road, Clayton, N.C. 27520. Arrangements by McLaurin at Pinecrest Funerals & Cremations, Clayton.