Palestine High School Alumni Association

02 / 29 / 1936  –  12 / 05 / 2010

Johnnie Ray Stanaland, 74, of Cypress, Texas, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010. Funeral services were held Dec. 7, 2010 in Tomball, Texas. He was born Feb. 29, 1936, in Palestine, Texas, the son of Nolan and Essie Stanaland.

Johnnie leaves behind a loving wife, Mary Lynn Stanaland; brother and sister-in-law, Cecil and Virginia Stanaland; mother-in-law, Ovella Groening Melton (101 years) and children, J.K. and Jill Stanaland, Lisa Saracene and J.D. and Heather Stanaland.

He also leaves behind five grandchildren that were his pride and joy — Justin and Jennifer Stanaland, Bryce and Grant Saracene and Madelyn Stanaland and numerous nieces, nephews and relatives.

Johnnie graduated from Palestine High School in 1954 and attended North Texas State in Denton. He was a member and held the office of Commander in the Sigma Nu Fraternity. He served honorably in the Army during the Berlin Crisis in 1961. Johnny retired from The University of Texas, M.D. Anderson in 2002 after 28 years of dedicated service.

Palestine Herald Press 12 / 12 / 2010