Stanley Glen Christensen was born in Los Angeles, California on January 1, 1944 to Marjorie Christensen and his biological father Sidney Glen Blank of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was adopted at age 8 by his maternal grandparents, Andrew and Ada Christensen at the Rexburg, Idaho courthouse in a civil proceeding. He passed away on September 10, 2024 at his home in San Tan Valley, AZ at the age of 80.
He is survived by his wife, Sherry; daughter, Jessika and son-in-law, Ron Glendenning; sons, Joe and Shawn Hess; his sister, Cathy Martson; sister-in-law, Vicky Ricks; sister-in-law, Karama Ricks; granddaughter, Ashley Gregg (Chris); great-grandson, Parker Gregg; great-granddaughter, Remi Gregg; and grandson, Ian Hess; his additional family-like sons, Randy Whilhite, Brad Bynum, and Jubil Tom; and his many married Christensen cousins, nephews, and nieces, as well as many Ricks nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his uncle, Frankie Ricks; brothers, Dennis Ricks and David Ricks; and sister, Suzy Ricks.
Stan was a US Marine who served during the Vietnam war. For many years he was a disabled vet, a pilot member of El Toro Marine Base Aero Club, and an avid Patriot. He was a proud father and husband. He had a Bachelor’s degree in social services, serving as a mental health and behavioral counselor for troubled teens in the ghetto of Compton, CA. He was an active supporter of women’s abuse shelters and later became a water treatment operator at Camp Pendleton marine base in Oceanside, CA.
Funeral services are scheduled at San Tan Mountain View Funeral Home in Queen Creek, AZ on Thursday, September 19 at 11 am. A private burial will be held at a National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Cave Creek, AZ for his family at a later date.