Thomas William Stalnaker, Jr., died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on October 15, 2011. Born in Amarillo , Texas on July 5, 1921 to the late Thomas William Stalnaker, Sr., and Ella Belle Myers Stalnaker, he graduated from the University of Colorado , Boulder , with a B.S. in mechanical engineering in 1943. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944-1946, stationed on Saipan . On August 29, 1948, he married Elizabeth Fleming at the Methodist Church in Keota , Iowa .

After the Navy, Stalnaker worked at Lockheed Aircraft in Los Angeles and then for Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America from 1947 until his retirement in July 1977. He started as a junior engineer in Stinnett, Texas; later supervised construction and plant operations from Hooker, Oklahoma; to Fritch and Marshall, Texas; Jackson, Missouri; and Malvern, Arkansas. Following retirement, he chaired the American Red Cross Hot Spring County blood program for over 25 years and donated 12 gallons of blood.

Stalnaker has been a member of First United Methodist Church , Malvern, since 1959, where he served in numerous leadership positions and was a member of the Friendship Sunday School class. He served as a Volunteer in Mission with the United Methodist Church at several locations in Arkansas , was a member and president of Malvern Chapter of Rotary International, president of the Malvern Christmas Parade, president of the Malvern Airport Board, and a life-time member of the Masonic Lodge.

At 68, he earned his private pilot's license. According to his wife, he was "never happier than when he was soaring in the sky." Other hobbies included restoring antique vehicles, fishing, boating, camping, and helping his friends with repair projects.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Betty, two daughters, Bonny Roth and her husband Robert, of Evanston , Illinois , and Sally Stalnaker of Vancouver , Washington , and three grandchildren, Emily, Kevin, and Sarah Roth. He was also preceded in death by his brother Frank.

His funeral will be at two o'clock Monday afternoon, October 17, 2011 in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church , Malvern, with Reverends LaVon Post, Bruce Bennett, and Kristie Rosset officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery .

Pallbearers will be Ray Rossett, Norman Guthrie, Joe Faucett, Chris Walthall, Lew Waniewski, and Shirley Jones.

Honorary pallbearers are all of Tom's friends.

The family will receive friends at J. A. Funk Funeral Home on Sunday from five until seven o'clock.

Memorials are requested to First United Methodist Church , Malvern, or the Red Cross Blood Program.

Online condolesnces may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.