Remembering

T.J. "Jud" Stanion, age 92, died Sunday, December 12, 2010 at South Wind Hospice in Pratt, KS. He was born November 4, 1918 in Boston, MA to Thomas and Aldah (Witherspoon) Stanion. Jud grew up in White Plains, New York and he earned a bachelor's degree in Commerce from New York University. Jud enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a Lieutenant during World War II at the Tampa Ship Building Co. in Tampa, FL.

Bobbe Stanion, 95, died peacefully March 11, 2016, in her home at Parkwood Village in Pratt, KS. She was born July 20, 1920, in Joplin, Missouri, the daughter of Hazel and Frank Belden. In 1942, she moved to Washington, D.C., and found a job in the Navy Department. She often said that her contribution to the war effort was small; but it was there that she met Jud. They married September 4, 1943, in Washington, D.C., and they were lifetime partners until his death in 2010.

Bobbe and Jud were blessed with two children during their marriage. Their son, Tom, was born in Tampa, FL, in 1945 and their daughter, Cindy, was born in White Plains, NY, in 1948.

Bobbe and Jud lived in many different parts of the United States after their marriage. Jud began his career in wholesale electrical distribution by working for Bobbe's family's business in Joplin, MO. Bobbe enjoyed teaching dance lessons. After several job changes, Jud and Bobbe embarked upon a successful career in their life-long partnership when they started their own business, Stanion Wholesale Electric Co., in Pratt, KS in June of 1961.

As they experienced success in business, they expanded their business by opening branches throughout Kansas. Bobbe retired in 1983 to enjoy her passions of playing golf, working in her flower garden, and playing bridge. Jud remained active in the business until shortly before his death.

Jud and Bobbe believed in giving back to their community and beyond. They were very generous donors of time and resources to many charitable, educational, and community organizations. The beneficiaries of their service and generosity include Pratt Public Schools, Pratt Community College, Pratt Regional Medical Center, Pratt Presbyterian Church, South Central Community Foundation (Jud and Bobbe were founders), and the B29 Memorial. Jud's contributions included serving as an active board member of Pratt School Board, Pratt Regional Medical Center, South Central Community Foundation, Pratt Rotary Club, Pratt Community College Foundations, Kansas Cavalry, and the National Association of Electrical Distributors. Jud was a member of the Pratt Presbyterian Church, Pratt Rotary Club, Park Hills Country Club, BPOE Elks Lodge #1451, and the Pratt Area Chamber of Commerce. Bobbe's special endeavor was the High Rise Apartment Building in Pratt. She was a member of the Pratt Presbyterian Church, P.E.O. Chapter F, and Park Hills Country Club.

They also encouraged and supported charitable, educational and community organizations and causes in many other communities through the company and through its employees.

Jud and Bobbe are survived by a son, Tom, of Shawnee, KS; a daughter, Cindy, and husband Bill of Pratt, KS; six grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.