Stanley Harris Wells passed away peacefully at his home in Davis on Sunday, Jan. 29. Stan, a longtime resident of Davis, was born in Lincoln, Neb., on Sept. 19, 1931. In his 80 years, Stan led an amazingly diverse and interesting life. He moved to Davis in 1968, following his first career as a fighter pilot in the Air Force. Stan was a member of an elite flying squadron, charged with flying foreign missions and with the responsibility for training new fighter pilots. Stan served our country in the Vietnam War, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and numerous other commendations. Stan was a war hero after he was shot down in Vietnam and was sent to Travis Air Force Base to recuperate. Following his discharge in 1968, Stan relocated his family to Davis. Stan was admitted to McGeorge School of Law, from which he was awarded his law degree in 1971. After earning his LLM in tax from the University of Florida, Stan began his practice as a tax and probate attorney, a practice which served the Davis community through 2011. Stan was an active participant of the Davis and veteran communities. He was the past president of the Davis Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis member, active in Boy Scout Troop 466, Rotary, and St Martin's church. His veteran groups included: FACNET (Forward Air Controllers Network), DAV (Disabled American Veterans), VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars), American Legion, MOPH (Military Order of the Purple Heart), AFA (Air Force Association) and MOOA (Military Officers Association of America). Stan loved adventure and the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman and loved to take long trips in his RV, setting up camp and fishing for his dinner. In his earlier years, you could see Stan riding his motorcycle through town, heading out for the open road or hopping in his plane to take his family out for an excursion. Stan survived his wife Jody, who passed away in 2004. He is survived by his children, Patrick Wells, Mike Wells, Shelly Kill, Greg Wells and Russ Wells, and stepchildren Susan Luff Chritton and David Luff, as well as his 16 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Dee Wahlberg and brother Albert Wells. He will be especially missed by his close friend Gene Ashdown. A celebration of Stan's life is set for Saturday, Feb. 18, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Martin's Church, 640 Hawthorn Lane in Davis. Military honors will be paid to Stan following the ceremony at 11:30 a.m. at the Davis Cemetery, 820 Pole Line Road. In lieu of flowers, Stan's children ask that donations be made to Sutter Hospice Foundation, American Cancer Society or Boy Scouts Troop 466.
Previous Events
Memorial
Saturday, February 18, 2012
10:30 AM
St. Martins Episcopal Church
640 Hawthorn Lane
Davis, CA 95616