Jefferson "J.D." Stanfield, 90, passed away peacefully at home on November 15, 2008, in the loving care of his devoted daughter and son-in-law, Patti and Neil Nimitz. Funeral services will be on Wednesday, November 19, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. at the Gillespie Building of the First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Mike Umbenhaur of First Presbyterian Church and Reverend Danny Gilliam of McDonald Memorial Baptist Church officiating. Cremation will follow at Claybar Haven of Rest Crematory in Beaumont. Visitation will be on Tuesday, November 16, 2008, from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Claybar Funeral Home's temporary location at 1408 Park Ave in Orange.
A World War II veteran, long time civil servant, City of Orange city councilman, Mayor pro-tem and businessman, he lived his entire life in Orange. He was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church of Orange.
J. D. is preceded in death by Katie Stanfield, his loving wife of 61 years; his brother Clyde Stanfield and sister Blanche Myers. He is survived by his wife and companion of nine years, Pearl Burgess Stanfield; daughters Patti Nimitz and her husband Neil of Orange; Christine Maddox and her husband Bill of San Antonio and grandchildren Chet Nimitz and wife , Greta of Houston; Christi Eddins and husband, Clark of Longview; Necil McCray and husband Patrick of Orange and Katie Maddox of San Antonio. J.D. was looking forward to the birth of his first great grandchild which will be born in April to Necil and Patrick McCray.
After returning from the armed service, he joined the Orange Volunteer Fire Department, serving as its president during his eleven years of service. He was instrumental in the organization of the Orange Civil Service Commission, serving as its unpaid director for eight years.
J.D. served on the City Council for a total of twelve years in the 1960's and 1970's and is credited with influencing many successful, progressive initiatives for the city. Those initiatives included the first allocations of industrial taxes to the city, funding and oversight of the city's water and sewer facilities, annexation of Cove and Brownwood, extension and widening of 16th street, building the new Orange Public Library and Natatorium, as well as many other infrastructure and administrative projects.
His civic pursuits included serving as president of the Retail Merchant's Association and the Orange Optimist Club and he was a member of the Orange Rotary Club. He served on the Manpower committee for the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission. Overall, J. D. served in numerous public service capacities spanning four decades.
He was a member of Kroger's Koffee Klub, the Heritage Society, the Senior Citizens Old Timers club, a member of Dupont Retirees and was a Master Mason with the Grand Lodge of Texas for over fifty years. After twenty-five years as a partner in the former Case & McGee Furniture Company, J.D. started a career in real estate by becoming a real estate broker. He was associated with Cooper realty and Dal Sasso Realty before retiring in the early 90's.
J.D.'s last public function was on August 19, 2008, when several dozen family members and friends hosted his 90th birthday party at Danny's Supermarket in West Orange.
The family gives a special thank you to Dr. Miguel Costellanos, Dr.Calvin Parker the Odyssey Hospice, Chaplain Kevin Trinkle, Rev. Mike Umbenhaur,
Rev. Danny Gilliam, sitter Emma Riojas and the Kroger Koffee Klub. Memorials may be sent to the Restoration Fund of the First Presbyterian Church or the American Lung Association.