John Standley

John Martin Standley of North Little Rock passed away on October 6 at the Little Rock VA Hospital surrounded by family.  Born in Houston, Texas, on July 12, 1941, to Bob and Jewell Standley, he grew up in Little Rock and graduated from T.J. Raney High School and attended Little Rock College.

John joined the 336th Ordnance Battalion in 1963 and was deployed for 18 months to Vietnam in 1968 to 1969.  After Vietnam he proudly served 38 years in the Army Reserve and the Arkansas National Guard until 2001 and retired as a sergeant major.  He received many awards including the Army Commendation Medal and the Legion of Merit.

John was active in the Boy Scouts of America and received many honors. As a Scout, he achieved the rank of Star.  In 1979, he and Cookie organized Troop 295 in Maumelle where John served as the Scoutmaster for 7 years.  He continued working with the Quapaw Area Council in many capacities for 40 years and was awarded the District Award of Merit, the Silver Beaver, and the John Fordyce Scoutmaster’s award.  He was a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow and received the Koskolakas Award and Vigil Honor.  John served on several Wood Badge staffs and the faculty of the Philmont and led contingents on two week backpacking treks there17 times.

Professionally, John was an architectural designer and worked on projects including the Heifer building, the Clinton Library, the UAMS Biomedical Research Center, and the Regions Building.

John was predeceased by his parents and his son Brad Standley.  He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Cookie Standley; his grandchildren: Greg Standley and Emily Boulton, Tyler Standley and Hannah Knox, and Lauren Standley and Cody Funderburg; his great-grandchildren: John Ryan, Haylee, and (soon) Hudson; daughter-in-law, Sabrina Standley and Kris Hicks; brother, Wayne Standley and Linda McKillips; sister, Sue Henderson; nieces, Michelle and Gabby Henderson; and furbabies, Lili and Lulu.

Visitation will be Tuesday, October 8 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be Wednesday, October 9 at 1:00 pm at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home.  Burial with military honors following at Riverwood Memorial Gardens, Maumelle.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Quapaw Area Council Boy Scouts of America.

The compassion and care by the doctors, nurses, and entire staff of the Little Rock VA was incomparable.  They will always be in our hearts for their kindnesses and service to our veterans.