Birth date: Jul 19, 1928 Death date: Jan 9, 2018
John Stanard “Stan” Bronson, Jr., born July 19, 1928, died January 9, 2018 at his home in Legacy Estates, Memphis, Tennessee. Stan finished a big breakfast, as was his custom, then settled in for a morning nap and mercifully passe Read Obituary
I will miss seeing your smile every morning Stan. I love you ??
Stan “The Man” Bronson,” as I called him, I met in 2002 when I went to work at the clinic at the University of Memphis. He came occasionally to the clinic for some minor problem and the nurses treated him as if he was a VIP, and he was. I often ran into him at the library, or setting on a bench at the University fountain, or at the Tiger Den where he had a “special meal plan”-in other words, free, where I would always sat by him and we would talk “whatever” for a few minutes. Usually, our conversation centered around this: “Stan, I saw you sitting by some pretty young coeds the other day. I didn’t need to say anymore as an 180 degree smile would come across his face and he would uttered no response, just a smile that lasted forever. In the Tiger Den, he always scoped out a table where an empty chair existed and he could sat with some beautiful coeds. When I attended a baseball game on campus, Stan took his job seriously and eagerly, contributing to a school that he loved and was just as dedicated as the players. He was an inspiration to me. I can see you now Stan “The Man” bowing and tipping your hat. During several of our conversations, I asked Stan, “Stan, how can I get on your meal plan? That effusive smile always presented itself and he would say, “Doc, you can’t. It’s mine,” and so it was. He was deeply revered at the University. So much so that when I visited head-baseball Coach Al Brown’s office for the first time, there hanging on his wall was a framed photograph of Stan. Coach always had high praises for Stan. We probably all have our own mental and physical handicaps. For Stan, it never stood in his way. He achieved what gifts God had given him, far exceeding what most of us, including me, have done in our lives. The University will miss you, the nurses at the clinic will miss you, and Memphis will miss you. No one will ever be able to replace you. He was pure and innocent. I’m not sure he ever committed a sin. He is what God wants all of us to be. He was Stan “The Man” Bronson, a child at heart but a man who went home to be with the Lord where I hope to reunite with him once again. And, if I do, I know he will be sitting at the table with some beautiful young angels, and he will greet me with “How you?”
I went to UM and also worked in the library. Stan would come in every day and read the papers. We used to go to the circus and to Stars on Ice (or whatever they were called then) performances several times a year before I moved to Michigan. He loved the ice shows! Rest in peace Stan, Peggy
I used to sit next to Stan at church. What I really loved about him was how enthusiastically he would sing a hymn- with words of his own! He would unself-consciously belt it out. He always called me “Nancy”. I used to remind him of my name but realized I really was Nancy! Stan, seeing you at UM always brought a smile to my face and I loved it when we had lunch with you. You had a wonderful appetite and always made great conversation. I’ll always treasure my memory of taking you shopping and eating at Chili’s. You had a good life Stan and you were so blessed to take your daily nap and wake up in heaven with your family waiting for you.
Stan’s glowing smile and cheerful greeting are an enduring part of my campus memories. Thinking about him now makes me smile. It seems his mission was to make our part of the world a better place and he excelled.
Stan was one of the first people to greet me when I startedk Memphiskatgt State. He was a part of all of our lives for years. I’m so very glad we had him in all of our lives. He made Memphis State a better place!! You did your job and then some sir. Rest peacefully.
Stan was a special gift to us. I was at Memphis State in the late 70s and would look for Stan when I walked to classes. He always had a cheerful smile with a big wave of his hand saying “How you?”.Stan was Tiger family and will be missed.Perry Pampuro
I can’t imagine my experience at Memphis State without Stan. I don’t recall any times that he was not smiling, not exhibiting joy. His attitude and spirit spilled over into everything he did and touched everyone he met. What an impactful life he led. We should all look to Stan as an example of how to do life. Rest in peace friend and I will see you again some fine day.
