Earl B. Stavely, Jr.

Earl Baker Stavely Jr. passed away on Nov. 30, 2015, a week before his 95th birthday.

Earl was born on Dec. 7, 1920, in State College, Pa., the son of Earl B. and Helen Stavely. He grew up in State College, where his father was a professor of engineering at Penn State, and he earned a degree with honors in electrical engineering from that university.

He worked for General Electric, first in Schenectady, N.Y., where he met and married Ann Mason, and then in Detroit. He and Ann lived in the Detroit area for 23 years and raised their three sons there.

After falling in love with Arizona, he and Ann moved to Fountain Hills in 1973 and built a house. As early settlers, they enjoyed unspoiled desert and open views in all directions until the town filled in.

Earl and Ann were active members of the community as it was growing up. He was the first employee at the new Paul’s Hardware, one of the first businesses in town, where he worked until he retired 10 years later.

Earl and Ann were charter members of the Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church, where Earl served as an elder. Earl was also a charter member of the local Noon Kiwanis Club.

In retirement Earl volunteered his time freely around Fountain Hills, notably at the River of Time Museum where he and Ann ran the museum shop. Earl also served in the Civic Association, the Board of Adjustment, the McDowell Mountain Park Association, and the Historical Society.

Earl leaves behind his loving wife of 70 years, Ann; their son, Allan of Socorro, N.M.; their son, Donald and his wife, Carmen of Windsor, Colo.; their son,  Kenneth and his wife, Kathleen of Queen Creek; and four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The family has had a private memorial.