Over A Century of Funeral Service...Stanleys since March 26, 1909
George Stanley started the first Stanleys Funeral Services in 1909, as "Stanleys Undertaking Business". Back then funerals consisted of everything in black, the caskets, the hearse and clothes the people wore.
As business grew with Tulsa’s support and trust, 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.
1939 brought R.J. McCune’s retirement and George's children had begun thier careers in Funeral Service. Not long after that, Robert Stanley Sr., George's Son died in 1959 with a very short battle with cancer leaving George in a deep state of grief.
In 1961, George Stanleys forethought inspired him to move Stanleys Funeral Service to its present location becoming Tulsa’s most modern facility at 3959 East 31st Street. George Stanley retired with his Children at helm. The Late Robert Stanley Sr.’s wife Mary Helen Stanley and Sisters Marjorie Glenn and Sarah Glenn carried on the family business with the tradition and kindness of the Stanleys mission.
In 2005 recognizing the value of the alliance with the Stumpff Family, Stanleys Funeral Service, Tulsa’s oldest funeral home, joined the Stumpff Family’s Oklahoma Funeral Care Company. This would insure the ongoing legacy of the Stanley Family heritage in funeral service and trust of so many prominent Tulsa Families of the fast-growing and ever evolving Tulsa community.
For more information, call 743-6271 or email us Jon Hoopert, Funeral Director
