Stanley Ray McElderry

Stanley Ray McElderry passed away in Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 63 after a long illness. His eldest daughter and son-in-law were nearby.

Stan graduated from Moravia High in 1980 and went on to obtain his B.A. in History from Graceland University in 1984 and his J.D. (law degree) from the University of Iowa in 1987.

Stan held multiple positions throughout his law career, from county attorney to administrative law judge, but he found his passion as Deputy Workers’ Compensation Commissioner for the State of Iowa. He also volunteered his time as steward and vice president to his local chapter of AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees). Stan retired from the State of Iowa in 2017 but continued to do legal work and consulting. He was considered a top expert in Iowa Workers’ Compensation.

A man of many talents and interests, Stan had a love of nature and the outdoors. Known as a “deadeye,” he hunted deer, turkey, pheasant, goose, and more. A talented gardener and chef, he put together meals for his family to enjoy. Holidays were filled with his own recipes, some of which will be passed down to family, for better or worse!

Known for his passion for reading and history, Stan’s keen memory made him hard to stump when it came to “Hey, what happened when…?” His family had an ongoing joke not to gift Stan books since he had read everything. He loved science fiction, spy novels, and history. Before Google, there was “Ask Stan.” He was eager to pass on his wealth of knowledge to his children. Whether discussing history, politics, or life skills, he enriched their lives with wisdom and perspective, nurturing an appreciation for learning and inquiry.

Stan is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Laura Beth Adkins McElderry; two daughters, Megan Leigh Casebolt (Kenneth James Casebolt) and Erin Meade McElderry; two grandsons, Caleb James Casebolt and Kian Patrick Casebolt; and three brothers, Bradley Irelan, Kenneth Lee, and Ralph Leslie. Stan was preceded in death by his father, Stanley Irelan McElderry, his mother, Violet Joyce Hopkins McElderry Grosvenor, and his son, Sean Patrick McElderry.

While Stan was known for his stubbornness and did not shy away from voicing his opinions, his resilience in overcoming life’s challenges was undeniable. He dedicated himself to ensuring his children had a better start in life than he had. Stan showed his love for family through teaching, providing, and ensuring they were well taken care of. His legacy is one of perseverance, knowledge, and heartfelt dedication.

A celebration of Stan’s life will take place on Friday, December 19th from 12PM-3PM at the Perry Elks Lodge #407 in Perry, Iowa. Lunch will be served. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate your donation in Stan’s name to Pheasants Forever or to your local Food Bank.

"Your friends will know you better in the first minute you meet than your acquaintances will know you in a thousand years." - ILLUSIONS by Richard Bach