Jacob G. Stansbury Sr.

Published 1:45 pm Thursday, May 22, 2014

“A man’s legacy is not riches, possessions or worldly goods of any kind; it is the way he lived, the lives touched, the promises he kept. It is the kind of man he was.”

Funeral services for Mr. Jacob G. Stansbury Sr., 98, will be conducted Saturday, May 24, 2014, at The First United Methodist Church located on Jefferson Street with the Reverend Scott Bullock officiating. The funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. Interment will follow at Holy Family Cemetery on Curtis Lane. Military Honors will be conducted by the United States Army and members of the VFW Post 1982. Visitation will begin held Friday at Acadian Funeral Home. The family has asked that visitation begin at 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. Visitation will resume at 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Mr. Stansbury passed away on Tuesday, May 20, 2014, at the Belle Teche Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center.

Jacob G. Stansbury Sr., was born on May 1, 1916, to Albert and Clara Whittle Stansbury Sr., raised in New Iberia, attended school and graduated in 1936 from New Iberia High School. As a red-headed child, he was known for being mischievous. His most famous stunt was about age 7 or 8 being caught in the wine cellar of the Shadows by Weeks Hall’s houseman. He was known as a jokester and making people laugh. He lost his father at age 8 and was very close to his mother and siblings. He was raised also by his stepfather, James Gill, who raised the five children as his own with Clara.

He started working for American Iron Works about 1937 and worked there until the war. In 1941, he enlisted in the United States Army and married Della Migues, also a native of New Iberia, just six days after Pearl Harbor was attacked. He and Della traveled around the U.S. for about a year where he received training as a mechanic for military aircraft. Once Jacob completed his training, he spent a short time in North Africa and then was assigned to the China-Burma-India Theater. Although most military aircraft were repaired on the ground by Jacob and his crew, Jacob spent time repairing them in the air while the flight crew was on a mission. They were frequently attacked by Japanese fighter planes. While Jacob was away at war, Della had returned home to New Iberia.

Young people today may reflect that in 1942-45 there were no cell phones, no texting and no phone calls. No one would know what was going on with a loved one and often entire families had many young men serving. There was a fear of the Western Union Man showing up on a bicycle at your house with bad news. That’s the only way you could communicate.

Two of Jacob’s brothers also fought in World War II, A.C. and Green Stansbury. Their other brother Chris contributed to the war effort by building naval vessels in New Orleans. Their mother Clara was red, white and blue to the core.

After returning home from the war, Jacob worked in the oilfield until 1966. In 1954 he started his own company selling oilfield equipment. He was affiliated with Hole Hog out of Houston. During the ’50s, he became involved with the Dale Carnegie Organization. He had taken the course and then taught the course on dealing with people. He was a positive thinker and promoted this idea to whoever would listen. He believed in people and was a people person. Anyone who knew him knows that fact.

In the late ’50s thru the ’60s, he would become a big bowler locally. He owned Torrido Bowl with several partners. He won many a trophy for his bowling. Also he loved to play golf and was a stockholder and member of Sugar Oaks. His sons often joined him. At age 7, Steve was presented a Scots Plaid Golf Bag with custom fitted clubs and the possibility of a Tiger Stansbury began. Jacob also loved to tinker in his garage.

Due to heavy lifting of oilfield equipment in 1966, the doctor warned him he needed to find a new business where he wasn’t hauling oilfield equipment by himself to rigs putting 100,000 miles a year on a car as he had been. This turn of events led him to taking courses which led him to being a stockbroker, insurance salesman and a real estate agent. In 1968 he decided to devote time to real estate. He would own and operate the Commercial Real Estate Agency.

He sold real estate, developed subdivisions and appraised for many local banks. He was instrumental in building FHA 245 houses for people to have a nice, small house of their own passing on the pride of ownership to many families who still own those houses. He also developed many shopping centers across the state. He retired in 2010.

A special thanks to Dr. George Cousin and staff, Belle Teche Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Iberia Medical Center, Dr. Levine and Dr. Borland and the home health care providers. To Mary and Chris for their loving care. A very special thanks to George Reeves.

Left behind to cherish his memory is his wife of 72 years, Della Migues Stansbury; three sons Jacob Stansbury Jr., Bill Stansbury and wife, Lynda, and Steven (Mr. Stanz) Stansbury and partner Alvin Stutts. He has three grandchildren Jacob Stansbury III and wife, Lori, Heather Winkleman and Holly Beard and husband, Glenn. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren Bethany Stansbury, Abbey Stansbury, Tucker Winkleman and Jacob Stansbury IV; and his extended family Rene and Rita Broussard.

Jacob was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Clara Whittle Stansbury Sr.; stepfather James Gill; a sister Mussettes Dutchie Stansbury; three brothers A.C., Green and Chris Stansbury.

Pallbearers include George Reeves, Jacob Stansbury III, Bill Stansbury, Steven Stansbury and Alvin Stutts.

Honorary pallbearers include James “Jimmy” Schwing, Bud Forrest and his “Class Feather” friends.

To view obituary online go to www.acadianfuneralhome.net.

Acadian Funeral Home of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements, 802 Weldon Street, 364-6162.