Stanley Lair

Stanley Lowell Lair

Stanley was born and raised in Bartlesville, Oklahoma on November 30, 1932, to Charles and Blossom Lair. He married Marilyn Brown on August 22, 1953, daughter of Fred and Dorothy Brown. He was the sole survivor of four siblings, William, Blaine, Keith and Janice Lair.

Stanley excelled at sports Bartlesville High School and attended Oklahoma Baptist University on a track scholarship.  While attending OBU he earned his B.S. in General Science and Physical Education, graduating in 1954. He taught and coached at Purcell High School (1954-55) and was then drafted into the U.S. Army. Following his honorable discharge, he was hired as a high school science teacher and assistant coach in football and track in Chickasha, Oklahoma (1957-58).  In 1958 Roswell Independent School District hired Stanley to help open the new Mesa Junior High School. He transferred to Roswell High School (RHS) to teach science and coach track. While teaching and coaching at RHS, he earned his master’s degree in education administration in 1962. In 1975, Stanley was hired to be the assistant principal at RHS and in 1977 was hired at Goddard High School (GHS) as assistant principal. He retired from Goddard in 1985 but continued working with students as volunteer teacher at Gateway Christian School and track coach at GHS. In 1968, Stanley helped several student athletes establish The Fellowship of Christian Athletes bringing a witness to Jesus Christ at RHS. 

During his time as a coach and administrator, he received many awards, and when asked about the awards, he commented that he was “just doing my job”.   He also commented that they were not as important as the kids he worked with.  

Stanley was honored to coach and mentor many excellent athletes during his career. Often this led to friendships that lasted a lifetime. Former students and athletes would return to tell “Coach Lair” about their accomplishments and thank him for his positive role in their lives. In a world of moral uncertainty, Stan never compromised his integrity; his “No” meant no, and his “Yes” meant yes.

While being raised in a Christian family, he made his own profession of faith at the age of eight years. He was always a follower of Christ, and his faith was evident in the way he lived, sharing his faith and showing love to others at every opportunity. He served as a deacon at First Baptist Church, Gateway Church and Christ’s Church. He never wavered in his Christian faith.

When he wasn’t being coach/teacher or at church, he spent many hours in the outdoors, hunting and fishing. The countryside around Roswell was familiar territory and he was known to many of the local ranchers.

In his later years he was known as the “Jokester”, entertaining family, friends, and strangers at every opportunity. You may have met Stanley in a local restaurant going table to table to tell jokes.  It seemed his goal each day was to bring a smile or a laugh to all he encountered. Even in the end stages of his illness, he was concerned for and worked with people with difficult circumstances.

Stanley is survived by his wife, Marilyn and his son, Rick who married Cheryl Riddle. His death was preceded by his daughter, Renee who married Joe Tom McDonald. He had four grandchildren, Krystal Scott, Ty McDonald, Kelsey Lair and Rachel Hester; and six great grandchildren, Oliver Coffelt, Ethan Lair, Elliott Hester, Robert Scott, Joy Renee Hester and James Scott.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Christ’s Church, 2200 North Sycamore, Roswell, New Mexico.