By Staff
Senior Living
(This week The Atmore Advance spotlights Aubrey Stanley, 71, of Atmore. Stanley traveled all over the Pacific during the 12 years he was in the Air Force. He is now the Commander at the American Legion Post 90, where he spends most of his time. )
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in Atmore in 1935. I will be 72 this coming year.
Q: Who were your parents?
A: Henry W. and Ruby Stanley.
Q: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
A: I have one sister and three brothers. The oldest is my sister, Gertrude Childress. Then the boys are Leonard, Cecil and Windom. I am the youngest. All of them are still living.
Q: Where did you attend high school and college?
A: I went to Escambia County High School. I had no college.
Q: Do you do a lot of traveling?
A: Yes and no. I did when I was in service. The last three years that I worked, I was in the Philippines. I was the assistant fire chief. I came back to NAS Pensacola and retired in 1987. When I was in the military I went to Honolulu, Wake Island, Okinawa, Thailand and Vietnam. If it is in the Pacific, I have almost been there. I may not have spent a lot of time there but I've been there.
As far as now, we travel occasionally.
Q: What jobs have you held?
A: Firefighter is the most. I was a firefighter in the Air Force. I was in air rescue services in Vietnam. I spent 12 years in the Air Force and the last tour of duty I had was in Vietnam with ARS. That consisted of picking up down pilots in Vietnam, Cambodia, anywhere they hit the ground. I came back and went to the Air Force Base in Mobile. I found out I was supposed to be going back to 'Nam and chose to get out of the Air Force and went to work as a fireman. I transferred to NAS Pensacola, stayed there until 1984. I went to the Philippines and worked there two-and-a-half years. Then I came back to NAS and retired. Since then my wife and I have traveled here and there on vacation.
Q: Did you ever marry?
A: I am married to Mary Margaret Stanley. She was born in Bogalusa, La. She was raised in Mobile and went to Murphy High School. She went to the nursing school associated with the University of Alabama. She got her bachelor's degree at the University of Mobile and her master's at the College of St. Frances in Illinois.
We got married on Aug. 17, 1963.
Q: Do you have any children or grandchildren?
A: I have three children. Leigh Ann Stanley-Wooten. She lives in Malbis and works in Mobile. Our son is Christopher Stanley, everybody calls him Chris. He lives in Atmore and works in Mobile. I have a son by a previous marriage, Steven Stanley. He lives in Pensacola.
We have three grandchildren. Jennifer is Steve's daughter and Michael is Steve's son. John Wooton is Leigh Ann's. Chris isn't married yet.
Q: Where do you attend church?
A: First Assembly of God.
Q: What keeps you busy these days?
A: The American Legion. I am involved whole-heartedly with the Legion. I am the commander. I plan activities, conduct meetings, oversee and carry the Legion forward. I plan ways to better and improve it. I make plans and follow them through.
We serve veterans, do community service and youth and children programs. We do Christmas with Santa for children that are separated from their families who are oversees. We recognize a Teacher of the Year at each school.
Several times throughout the year we go to Bay Minette and visit veterans and tell them how much we appreciate them. We have a line-dancing group that goes.
Q: What's your favorite TV show?
A: I love the old Westerns. Probably what I watch the most of than anything is "Matlock." I like some of the old "Perry Mason" stuff. I watch the military channel.
Q: What do you think is the most interesting thing about yourself?
A: It's not hard for me to meet people, I have an open personality. I don't know where I get that from. I joke a lot and people who know me know when I am joking.
Q: What advice would you like to give people on staying healthy?
A: To be active is the main thing, to watch your weight. I am a strong believer but nobody can take care of your health but you, and you've got to be strong enough to do it. You need to exercise, be active and watch your diet. When things don't go right, you have to trust God.
(If you would like to recommend a senior to be spotlighted please contact Adrienne McKenzie at 368-2123 or e-mail her at lifestyles@atmoreadvance.com)