Stanley Ray Traxler

Nov. 12, 1943  –  Nov. 6, 2023

Stanley and Linda Traxler

Our beloved Stan passed away peacefully on Nov. 6th, at Overtake Hospital, six days before his milestone 80th birthday. He’d been looking forward to celebrating it. But, unexpectedly, on Oct. 23^rd, he had to be admitted to the hospital’s ICU, for treatment of para-influenza, pneumonia, and acute hypoxic respiratory failure.

Stan is survived by his loving family:  his wife Linda; son Andy (Kate); daughter Kim (John); grandchildren Madison (Jake), Olivia, Margot; his brother David; sister Sharon Stickler; sister-in-law Nancy Lancaster; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and sister, Roberta Byers.

Stan and Linda

Stan was born on Nov. 12, 1943, in Lafayette, Indiana, to Velma Mae Holbrook and Melvin Prine Traxler. When Stan was six months old, his family moved to Coos Bay, Oregon, where Stan lived until he graduated from Marshfield High School in 1962. The following year, he married his high school sweetheart, Linda (Lowe) Traxler. (They celebrated their 60^th anniversary in 2023, on Maui.)

Well-known as an athlete in Coos Bay, Stan received 8 Varsity letters. Special Honors were: Chosen as co-captain of both the basketball and football teams; Selected to play in the Oregon State All-Star Shrine Game in football and to the All-Tournament Team in basketball. He also enjoyed track and tennis. Stan showed his leadership skills in high school as President of Boys League, Vice-President of Key Club, and participation in Student Council and Boys’ State.

Stan was accepted to Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. He played football on an Athletic Scholarship, starting as Tight/Split End, for all 4 years. He was selected for the All-NW Conference All-Star Team in 1964 and Captain of the 1965 Willamette Football Team. After Stan graduated from Willamette University in June 1966, with a B.A. degree in Psychology, he and Linda moved to the small town of Monmouth, OR, to study at Oregon College of Education (now named Western Oregon University) with Stan’s Academic Scholarship. He earned a Master’s Degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology in June of 1967.

Subsequently, Stan secured a two-year Academic Scholarship for a “Specialized Ph.D. Program in Deafness” at the University of Pittsburgh. He worked part-time at the Counseling Center for the Deaf, while residing at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.  In July 1969, Stan and Linda returned to the Pacific NW, where Stan helped establish a Regional Post-Secondary School for the Deaf at Seattle Central Community College (“SCCC”).  He initiated an Interpreter-Training program, now offered at the University of Washington. In Oct.1974, Stan was invited by the South African National Council for the Deaf, to be a Consultant for their programs, making visitations and lectures, with interpreters, throughout South Africa.  By 1976, Stan became the Acting Dean of Instruction for SCCC.

With the arrival of Andy in 1975, and Kim in 1977, Stan recognized the need for a more flexible work schedule, to spend quality time with his family. Stan’s love for sports and outdoor activities became cherished family traditions:  skiing, boating, neighborhood football games, etc. Stan became a loved and respected figure in the eyes of his children and their friends and families. He enjoyed surprising his family with vacations to:  Disneyland, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, East Coast and West Coast states. Closer to home, family getaways included annual trips: to Lake Chelan; to the house Stan built for us in Desert Aire; and, to Semiahmoo Resort.

Stan embarked on a new career, in 1978, as a self-employed General Contractor, establishing his successful company, Sterling Design/Build. Over a span of 34 years, Stan undertook 400+ projects, specializing in custom homes and remodels.  He developed positive relationships with the homeowners, subcontractors, suppliers, and architects, fostering a collaborative team approach.  Stan was a hard worker and would often step in to work on any construction job, as needed.

Stan’s zest for life led him outdoors, where he found joy in hiking throughout the Pacific Northwest. However, a serious hiking accident in 2012 altered his life’s trajectory, resulting in a diagnosis of Quadriplegia Incomplete, severely limiting his mobility. However, it did not affect his mental capacity, nor his infectious smile and sense of humor. Undeterred, Stan faced this challenge with resilience, determination, and ongoing medical treatment and therapy. He made remarkable progress with his ability to walk and move around for limited periods.  Later, Stan became an avid reader, when a young neighbor gave him the book, “Unbroken.” He began writing a paragraph in his journals after he finished a book, and gave it a rating of A,B,or C. His final entry showed he had read 388 books since 2012!!

In retirement, Stan wanted to help others. His commitment to service varied, from coaching 5^th-6^th grade boys basketball at the Boys and Girls Club, to assisting at the Redmond Senior Center kitchen, and Sound Generation, and Hopelink.

In 2018, Stan and Linda moved to Trilogy, a retirement community in Redmond, WA. They enjoyed their new home and the many friendships they made there.   Stan demonstrated kindness and respect for everyone. He was a great man with a caring nature who was consistently a joy to be around. As a devoted husband, father, and fun-loving “Grampy”, he had a way of making everyone feel special. Stan was so loved by his family and many friends. He will be deeply missed. His legacy lives on, not only in the structures he built, but also in the lives he touched. We’ll remember Stan for the motivating and vibrant spirit he had, and for the lasting positive impact he made on the hearts of all who knew him.