Obituary of Stanley Clark Akins

Stanley Clark Akins, age 60, of Cottonwood, Arizona passed from this life and went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 3, 2016 at Flagstaff Medical Center in Flagstaff, Arizona following a brief illness and hospitalization. Stanley had lived the past seven months in Cottonwood Village Assisted Living Apartments with his sister, Sharon Murphy. Prior to moving to Arizona, Stanley was a lifelong resident of the Kansas City, Missouri area and lived in Grain valley for about 17 years. Stanley had moved from his home in Grain Valley, Missouri to assisted living in Liberty, Missouri in March 2015 because of deteriorating health. He and his sister Sharon relocated to Cottonwood, Arizona in September 2015 to be near their sister Sandra and husband, Dana. Stanley was born July 9, 1955 in Independence, Missouri to Roy C. and Imogene (Baker) Akins as the youngest of three children. Stanley was a graduate of Fort Osage High School in Independence, Missouri. Stanley was diagnosed as a Paranoid Schizophrenic 40 years ago at the age of 20. It was a life-long battle for him and he experienced several hospitalizations. In spite of his illness, Stanley worked for many years and was able to accomplish many things in life. Stanley was a kind and compassionate person who cared for others but because of his speech handicap he hesitated in speaking to others first and was hesitant to carry on conversations. Stanley never married and after graduating he worked for a heating and air conditioning company before taking a position with the City of Subley, Missouri. Stanley then worked for Western Electric Company (ATT) in Lee's Summmit, Missouri until the plant closed. Stanley completed his working career with 22 years at Hall McCarter Middle School in Blue Springs, Missouri as a Custodial Maintenance Technician until his retirement in October 2013. Stanley loved the Royals baseball team and the Kansas City Chiefs football team. He was an avid fan of all sports. Stanley lived at home as long as his parents lived and helped take care of them. He worked helping his father on their small acreage and worked with horses and rode in parades. He also assisted his father in working with the tractor at home and hiring out to others who had a need. Stanley was preceded in death by his parents, Roy C and Imogene Akins and one niece, Dana Lynn Burris. He is survived by two sisters, Sandra Burris and her husband Pastor Dana L. Burris of Camp Verde, Arizona and Sharon Murphy of Cottonwood Village in Cottonwood, Arizona; a nephew, Robin Burris and his wife Mandy of Phoenix, Arizona and two great nieces, Keegan and Kenzie Burris of Phoenix, Arizona; three aunts, many cousins and friends. He will be sadly missed by those who knew him. A memorial service will be held 11AM on Friday, April 8th, 2016 at the Camp Verde Baptist Church at 299 West Hollamon Street, Camp Verde, Arizona 86322. A service in Harrisonville, Missouri will be held 11AM Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at Dickey Funeral Home 2401 E. Mechanic Street Harrisonville, MO 64701. The visitation will be held 30 minutes prior to the service.