George Stanley started the first Stanleys Funeral Business in 1909, "Stanleys Undertaking Business." Back then funerals consisted of everything in black, the caskets, the hearse and clothes the people wore.

As business grew in Tulsa, the firm moved to 415 South Boulder Avenue in 1914. In 1920 George Stanley formed a partnership with R.J. McCune, they then moved the business to 620 South Boulder Avenue. In 1924 Tulsa was growing fast and again the business moved to a large facility at 1127 South Boulder Avenue.

Through decades Stanleys has with-stood numerous changes and events. There had been two world wars which in the process casket materials became short supply. Stanleys had a black horse drawn hearse and a gray horse drawn ambulance. Stanleys started the first ambulance service in Tulsa. The driver would handle the horses and an attendant would clang a bell with his foot. In 1913 Stanleys mechanized their services, and purchased the first six cylinder Winton ambulance.

In 1939 R.J. McCune retired. In 1961, George Stanley moved Stanleys Funeral Service to its present location (3959 E 31st Street). George died in 1969.

Today, Stanleys is still serving Tulsa as a family owned business, serving families with the same service and offering many types of service and merchanise options to meet any needs of the fast-growing Tulsa community.