Stanley Ray Bessinger was born on August 24, 1933 in Olar, South Carolina to Mary Kathleen and Marion Stanley Bessinger. Stanley was called home to the Lord on July 29, 2022. He passed away peacefully at the age of 88, just a few weeks from his 89th birthday.

He attended Newberry College from 1951-1955. Stanley was an all-star fullback and linebacker for the Newberry Indians. He was Co-Captain of the football team and President of the Block N Club in 1954, a four-year letterman, along with several other distinguishable honors throughout his college career. He has since been inducted into the Newberry College Football Hall of Fame where his legacy lives on as the "60-minute man." During his college career, he was president of the freshman and sophomore class, member of the Blue Key National Honor Fraternity and Kappa Phi. His pride for his school continued on as a member of the Newberry College Board of Trustees.

While at Newberry College, Stan met the love of his life and wife of 67 years, Grace. The two were married on May 20, 1955 in the Lutheran Church. In 1956, Stan began his service in the United States Army as a cryptographer stationed in Paris, France. During this time, Stan and Grace's family expanded after the birth of their daughter, Cathy. The Bessinger family returned to the States and proceeded to plant roots in their beautiful home state of South Carolina. They became a family of five after the births of their two sons, Ray and Martin.

One of Stanley's biggest achievements was his lifelong career as an Executive in Sales and Distribution for McKesson Wine and Spirits. He was an extremely respectable and hardworking man who was well known amongst his colleagues as an honest man of his word. His determination led to a successful career which eventually relocated the Bessingers to Houston, Texas. Houston would become the home of Stanley and Grace and where he was a resident upon his passing.

Stanley was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. His hobbies included golf, grilling, crossword puzzles, and trips to the beach with his family in Bolivar, Texas. Stanley was a man of tradition and cherished Saturday Steak Night with a well-made old fashioned or martini. As a sports enthusiast, he always supported any team that his children and grandchildren admired. He was a huge fan of the Atlanta Braves and the University of Houston football team. He was a regular tailgater at UH football games with both his sons and grandson where they enjoyed watching the Cougars snag a win. Overall, Stanley was extremely proud of his family and consistently showed his support by cheering his family on from the sidelines. He attended all events, from youth sport games to graduations and marriages.

Stanley was also a strong man of God and devoted member of the Lutheran Church. He was the kindest, most giving man that made himself available for anyone in need. He truly lived according to Christ's example.

Stanley is survived by his wife, Grace Bessinger; his children, Catherine Bessinger-Rout, Stanley Ray Bessinger Jr, and Martin Marion Bessinger; his grandchildren, Nicholas Rout, Elizabeth Rout, Marion Bessinger and Jacqueline Bessinger Custar; his great-grandchild, Charleston Custar; and his siblings Elizabeth Bessinger Smoak and Elijah Dowling Bessinger.

A funeral service is scheduled for 2pm on August 6, 2022 at Messiah Lutheran Church located at 11522 Telge Rd, Cypress, TX 77429. Pastor Brad Otto will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Messiah Lutheran Church in Stanley's name.

https://www.messiahlc.org/

For those not able to attend the Service for Stanley, a Live Stream has been provided.

https://www.messiahlc.org/live