Kriston “Kris” Michael Stanley, 48, passed away of natural causes at his home on Oct 12, 2015.
Kris was born April 5, 1967 in Edmonds, WA. His family moved several times when he was younger, but eventually established permanent residence in East Helena, Montana when he was about 9. He attended school through the East Helena school system and graduated from Helena High School in 1985.
Kris was extremely intelligent and if there was something he wanted to know about, he had the talent and knack to teach himself. He taught himself to work on cars, how to run computers and build webpages, how to geocache, how to brew beer, and how to shoot guns and reload ammunition as examples. He met many people while working at the Helena TV station and Hollywood Video in East Helena. He most recently worked as a sales associate at Sportsman’s Warehouse, which he really enjoyed. He was always an avid reader, he enjoyed camping and fishing and had many interests throughout the years, but his most recent ones were geocaching, shooting his guns both for recreation and competition, and brewing and sharing his beer (and other beverage creations). He had a great sense of humor and you never knew what was going to come out of his mouth.
Most people probably did not get to see the tender side of Kris, but it was obvious if you saw how he adored his nephew and niece. He is survived by his parents Larry and Elinore Stanley, sister, Kelly McNurlin (Dan), nephew Tristan Lehman, niece Haylee McNurlin, several aunts and uncles, and many cousins.
A memorial service celebrating Kris’s life will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 24, 2015 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. A reception will follow in the social center of the funeral home In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the East Helena Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 403, East Helena MT, 59635. Please go to the www.aswfuneralhome.com website to offer condolences, post a picture, or tell a memorable story.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
1:00 p.m.
Saturday October 24, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Immediately following the chapel service
Saturday October 24, 2015
Social Center of the funeral home
,
Share
Jay Smith says
Kris you will be missed. You were one of the nicest guys I have ever known. I am sure your GPS led you to a better place. RIP my friend.
Rusty Gustine says
To the Stanley Family, you are all in my prayers, I worked with Kris at Hollywood Video and we had become good friends from day 1. Kris was always quick with a story and always had a new adventure to talk about. Kris, Rest in Peace my friend, you may gone but will never be forgotten.
terry lopez says
I had know Kris since the 6th grade and was very blessed to call him my friend. We got re-acquainted a couple of years ago and had started going on trips all over Montana and he even took me to a shooting event, where it was my first time shooting his guns, it was quite an adventure. He introduced me to his brewing inner G*D… and boy that man could brew wonderful things. I think he told me i was the only girl he ever brought home. I was so very blessed to know him and was very heartbroken to hear of his passing. I know his GPS has directed him someplace wonderful. Deepest sympathy for the family
Jill Welch says
I’m so sorry that you lost Kris so young. May you be blessed with God’s peace at this difficult time.
Angel Napier says
Kris, i am in shock and greatly saddened to see of your passing. To Kris’ family i am greatly sorry for such a great loss to this world and community. As a teen , he was friends with my parents and friends and he taught me 3 things that stick out, 1) never let anyone interrupt you when your reading. 2) never lose your sense of humor for a second and 3) work hard for what you want out of life. He was a great inspiration to me growing up and i hope you and Bob are reunited in the after life. RIP
Melissa McDonald says
Though we hadn’t talked in several years, many of my children’s fondest memories involve trucking around the countryside in the Subaru, hunting treasure led by your GPS. Thank you for the many adventures. Say Hi to Girl Kris up there! My deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers are with your family.
Shanda Tompkins says
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Kris was an unique person. Always quick witted but was very kind to me. I am very grateful having spent time worth him and my favorite cousin of his, Elise Tesdal. We spent some time talking about whatever came to mind. Kris showed me what my smart phone could do…. I will miss not seeing him at his work. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Michael Bullock says
Kris was my only older male cousin and I looked up to him quite a bit as a kid. He and I spent some time exploring the woods and trails around Helena in his jeep. We drove from Rimini to Park Lake, we explored around York and went several other places. We both had a very similar sense of humor and he wasn’t afraid to shock people into laughing. I thought about him often. Kelly, Dan, Punkie, Larry, Tristan, and Haylee: I am really sorry.
David Strong says
Kris, I am in shock. You were an absolute awesome guy, and you are greatly missed. Rest easy, my friend…..until we meet again. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Ron Fischer - "TasunkaWitko" says
I am very sorry to hear of this. I never met Kris in person but he was always a very helpful and supportive “friend” on our home-brewing forum, and we lived not too far apart. We talked a couple of times about meeting up, but it never happened – you always think that there is TIME. Kris, my prayers are with you and your family at this time, and I will miss your company.
Ron Fischer
Chinook, Montana
St. John, Chapter 21, Verses 1-19
Leonard " unionrdr" Cogar says
He was known to us on homebrewtalk.com as J.I.N.K.S.. He was a good guy & always up for a laugh in the middle of discussing someone’s brewing problems. And TasunkaWitco is right. You always think time is on your side when he’s not. We have a thread dedicated to him on the forum. He will be missed, but We can only hope he’s lookin’ down on us, brew in hand & laughing…
Lance carlson says
Sad…very sad…GREAT guy…some great memorys
Paul and Lisa Rasmussen says
About 3 months after Lisa and I arrived in Montana, we walked into Sportsman’s Warehouse in Helena and met Kris. He was one of the first to welcome Lisa & I to Montana and encouraged me to apply for a job at the store. We became good friends.
He was a gifted brew master and readily shared his knowledge with the novices, Lisa & Paul. Kris was a lifetime Montanan who also shared with Lisa and I his vast knowledge of this great state. He excitedly told us of places he had been that we should visit. When Lisa and I found time we did visit some truly wonderful places we would not have experienced had it not been for Kris telling us of them.
We will miss you Kris Stanley.
Paul and Lisa Rasmussen says
About 3 months after Lisa and I arrived in Montana, I walked into Sportsman’s Warehouse in Helena and met Kris. He was one of the first to welcome Lisa & I to Montana and encouraged me to apply for a job at the store. We became good friends.
He was a gifted brew master and readily shared his knowledge with the novices, Lisa & Paul. Kris was a lifetime Montanan who also shared with Lisa and I his vast knowledge of this great state. He excitedly told us of places he had been that we should visit. When Lisa and I found time we did visit some truly wonderful places we would not have experienced had it not been for Kris telling us of them.
We will miss you Kris Stanley.
James - "jschein" says
Rest in peace Kris. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Fellow homebrewers
JD "Rabbit" Sauter says
Great guy, I knew him all the years I played at the Exchange in the 80s & 90s. He will surely be missed
Williams Family says
Condolences to the Stanley family. May Jehovah the “God of Comfort” bring you comfort and peace at this difficult time (2 Corinthians 1:3 & 4). Your family are in our prayers.
Julio Souza says
My deepest condolences to Larry, Elinore and Kelly who I haven’t met for more than 30 years, but somehow will always live in my heart. I’ve just read this terrible news. I hope my thoughts can reach you and embrace you all.