Lt. Col. John Stampley, USAF (Ret.) age 58, passed away August 20, 2007. John was born March 21, 1949 in Bellville, Illinois to Jack and Raye Stampley. John graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1972 and earned his masters degree from Emery Riddle University in 1984. In 1975, John was commissioned as an officer in the Air Force where he served as a navigator flying C-141s and Command pilot flying C-130s and T-39s. John retired from the Air Force in 2000 as Director of Air Force Life Support Systems. He went on to work for SAIC until retirement in 2005. In retirement, he divided his time between San Antonio, TX and Amagansett, NY. John loved fishing and dreaming of new projects and adventures. John is survived by his loving wife Carolynn; son Jonathan, son and daughter-in-law, Travis and Vicki Stampley; grandson Oliver, brother and sister-in-law, Mike & Rae Stampley; nephew Stephen, sister Suzanne, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Leisa and Bill Perry; niece Isabella and mother-in-law Maurine Little. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday, August 23, 2007 at Sunset Funeral Home. Memorial service will be 9:45 a.m., Friday, August 24, 2007 at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Christus VNA Hospice, 4241 Woodcock Drive, Ste. A-100, San Antonio, TX 78228. Sunset Funeral Home.Published in the Express-News on 8/22/2007.
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I was stunned to see John Stampley’s photo appear on the Ro-Hawk memorial page this past July. He looked just like he did in high school pictures with the exception of the Air Force uniform. He had that quirky smile. I always thought I would see him again.
Seeing his photo brought back memories of long ago; John speeding around the base on his baby blue Vespa. Once he got a car, a VW Bug, he provided transportation on many an evening. I remember a cold winter night riding down the base boulevard with the heater warming my feet and the radio playing “Lonesome Town” or some such angst written tune.
Another memory is stopping by John’s friend Rick’s house after spotting his car there. They were listening to a Bob Dylan album. I left after telling them they were wasting their time because that guy could not sing. I have since changed my opinion of Dylan’s music. I see Stamp leaning back his head to put Visine in his eyes after a night of partying, as though his parents couldn’t detect an altered state in their son.
One of my favorite Stampley stories concerned his parents. After a night of partying he was leaning back in a chair in the family kitchen sassing his mother. His father “charged” into the room, kicked John’s chair out of under him and said “Don’t ever talk to my wife that way”. I am sure Carolynn benefited from the lesson John took away from that incident.
I’ll always treasure my memories of John. He and I could always talk and laugh about ‘stuff’. I’ll miss his infectious grin, sparking eyes and genuine goodness. Carolynn was a lucky woman to be married to John Stampley. I extend my heartfelt sympathy to her and her family.
I bet Stamp would have come to the 60’s Ro-Hawk reunion this September if he were here. I know he will be there in spirit. I am hoping to hear Stampley stories from all his friends who come. One lives on in memories of those one leaves behind.
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