Stanford Scott Brassfield was born December 3, 1924, and met his Heavenly Father, July 23, 2017.

It's been said that 'the measure of a man is what he does with power', or at least that was Plato's interpretation of a man's worth. But in our clan, we know even better. Our Heavenly Father saw to it that our earthly model would be a man dedicated to quietly preserving and honoring our Creator's example of giving unconditional love. Dad was humble, pragmatic, and principled. A disciplined man, whom with his service and dedication to God, we treasured. While not without his strong opinions, they were always given in nothing but the gracious love he held for each of us. His active commitment to his faith, and his care of Mother in her later years, taught us cherished examples of how we should live our own lives.

Stan was a dedicated fourth grade Sunday School teacher for many years, at First Baptist Tulsa. He treated young children with the same respect as an adult but also with the expectations of giving them lessons in the fruit of the Spirit. In addition, for almost twenty years after retirement, every Tuesday, he worked at the Baptist Mission. He faithfully served the less fortunate but deserving folks, by giving food and clothing to those among us, that most needed a dose of Christ's love. The only reason he gave up his volunteering was the increased care our mother needed in her later years.

It is in those years, Stan could be seen about town, with his beloved wife, Jane, on his arm, frequenting their favorite bakeries and lunch spots, at the zoo, at Swan Lake, and of course, at church. Often times, perfect strangers would slip notes to them observing his very noticeable love and devotion to Mother. Strangers were fortunate to witness what we saw as the norm at home, an example of his undying service to others. Our Sunday dinners at their house with family gathered around the table debating the latest issues or celebrating a birthday, always ended with him donning his apron at the kitchen sink and your glass being absconded right out from under you, demonstrating his efficient manner.

Stan grew up in Bixby, Ok. He was a veteran of World War II, received his undergraduate degree from Oklahoma State, and graduate degree from University of Texas. His work at Peat Marwick Mitchell, and then Sunray DX, was his livelihood but it was not his mission in life. Stan's work ethic, while extremely admirable, was just a modest means for supporting his goals of serving Christ's kingdom in his selfless manner. He supported many missionaries throughout the years. He was a deacon, and a dedicated representative from First Tulsa to the moderate CBF meetings. He advocated for women deacons at his church long before it was popular to do so. To this day, we can still hear his voice piping up from the back of the room, always respectively asking his ever ready question at a church business meeting "When are we going to elect women deacons?" Dad's principled fairness is a most revered lesson in speaking up for social justice that many of his offspring admire and take to heart.

Dad's tenderness and love was especially observed in his care for his grandchildren, he mirrored Christ's love for us. And another treasured gift he gave us, his church, and in later years, his place of residence, was his beautiful tenor voice. He led the chapel hymn sings at Inverness, as a way to further utilize his gifts in his golden years. Even as his memory played tricks on him these last years, his love of singing hymns or praying a heartfelt prayer, gave witness to his devotion to our Heavenly Father. To stand next to him while he sang gave you a confidence of not only the powerful effect of God on his life, but made you believe God was truly singing through him too.

'To love another person is to see the face of God', as Victor Hugo penned. The Brassfield clan, among others, can humbly say we've been fortunate to have experienced, Dad, Grandfather, Dot, Bapaw, Stanford Scott Brassfield, as our own glimpse of God. It's no wonder his legacy epitomizes an unconditional love story!

Stan was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years-Jane Kuykendall Brassfield, daughter-Julia Brassfield Shackelford; grandson-Eric Michael Brassfield; parents-George Thomas and Faye Brassfield; sisters-Mary Johnson and Maureen Brassfield.

Stan is survived by a younger brother, Calvin Brassfield, of Chattanooga, his loving children-Scott Brassfield, Cynthia (Bill) Briscoe, Kirk (Debbie) Brassfield, son-in-law, Mark Shackelford. Grandchildren-Bill (Monica) Briscoe, Carmen (Erin) Conaway, Christy (Sam) Williams, Ted Brassfield, David (Megan) Brassfield, Judah Briscoe, Esther (David) Taylor, Stephen (Lexi) Briscoe, and 13 great-grandchildren.

Our family is grateful to the staff at Inverness Village Retirement Center for their care of Dad, as well as our mother. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the church mission or ministry fund of your choice. A Memorial Service for Stan will be held in the Chapel at South Tulsa Baptist on July 29, 2017, at 10:00 am. Arrangements by Moore Southlawn Funeral Home 918-663-2233