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People SearchFind an individual who either played a sport or was a member of a support group. Search by last name by clicking on the first letter of the person's last name.
Mr. Kenneth "Mike" Stansbury (Deceased)
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Home Phone: 337-232-0673 Information in Mike’s footnote section is organized as follows: * * * * * * * * * * Kenneth Michael “Mike” Stansbury LAFAYETTE – Kenneth Michael “Mike” Stansbury, 82, died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Lafayette on Monday, August 19, 2013. Born in Abbeville, Louisiana on November 17, 1930, Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Landry and Beulah Stansbury. He is survived by his wife Andree Stansbury, one daughter Noelie Crapeau, granddaughters Sarah Neal, Elizabeth Bonura and Jessica Boudreaux, five great grandchildren, a sister Debra Austin and brother Randy Stansbury. After attending Abbeville High School, he graduated from SLI in Lafayette where he earned degrees in Business Administration, History, and Art Education. Mike’s artistic creativity, joie de vivre, passion and drive allowed him to enjoy and excel at one “hobby” after another throughout the years, winning awards and recognition for everything he tried: scuba diving, recipient of NOGI awards, spear fishing, hunting, photography, recipient of the Photographic Society of America Wilford Kimber, Sam Vogan awards, and innovative art work and sculptures to name a few. Mike was also a Life Master bridge player. Mike had great influence on the sports of body building and weightlifting, where he coached the university’s first national collegiate championship. He was instrumental in the development of weight training, Olympic weightlifting and body building in Louisiana and as a result, the whole approach to athletic training was revolutionized. He opened Lafayette’s first health club, “Mike Stansbury’s Health Club” where he introduced Red Lerille to Lafayette. Mike was inducted into the “Order of Living Legends” by the Acadian Museum of Erath because of his support of the program at SLI. In the 1960’s, the Stansbury’s closed the health club after inheriting the family’s beer distributorship. The business flourished and Mike took it to new heights. For five consecutive years he was awarded Schlitz’s highest honor of becoming a member of the “Inner Circle” and traveled the world with his wife Andree, photographing and collecting treasures to place in their home. Mike spent his last six months battling cancer at home with hospice. His male nurse, Iggy, was truly loved by Mike. Iggy provided the support and genuine warmth that formed “The Team” of Mike, Andree and Iggy. “The Team” made it possible for Mike to thrive and enjoy life to the fullest until his passing. Mike was surrounded by his loving wife, family and many close friends. Mike was knowledgeable and talented, continually challenging himself professionally, personally, and artistically. He was friendly, kind, witty, and was generous to a fault. Above all, Mike was devoted to Andree, his wife and soul-mate. He shared his love of life and art with her to the very end. Even as he became weaker, his spirit was untouched and he remained excited to be creating one last sculpture together. Working slowly with a chisel and mallet he visually discovered the precious beauty hidden within the wood he used as his medium. Collaborating with his usual accomplice, Andree, they decided the direction of this special sculpture. With the help of his dear friend Ben, and under Mike’s supervision, the wood was sculpted; leaving Andree to take it to completion. This last sculpture stands proud, symbolizing the strength of their unbridled devotion and adoration. As a result of Mike’s many years of work, we are left with a multitude of beauty in countless forms. These works of art adorn the interior and exterior of their home, creating a gallery of art spanning their life together. During their “Art Affair: A 55-Year Retrospective”, an exhibit that will be hard to rival, Mike and Andree generously shared as many of their works as could fit into the Acadiana Center for the Arts in Lafayette. Mike’s incredible life was filled with passion and zeal. He traveled the world with his wife, collecting treasures from near and far. But it was mostly at home creating a beautiful and unique space throughout the years that made him happy. As they danced together to the music that no one else could hear, Mike and Andree surrounded themselves with the beauty of their love. To meet Mike was to love Mike, as his personality was sprinkled with a unique wit. To be loved by Mike was an honor. It was Mike’s wish to be cremated. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations in Mike’s memory may be made to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 N. Johnston Street, Suite 200, Lafayette, LA. 70503 Published in the The Advertiser from August 25 to August 27, 2013 Athletic Network Footnote by Ed Dugas: Click below for Mike’s Athletic Network profile Posted by Ed Dugas, August 25, 2013 * * * * * * * * * * Spotlight on Former Athlete: Kenneth “Mike” Stansbury Weightlifting 1956 & 57 Note: To view complete story with photos, please click his Spotlight Feature in the Archived News, Dec., 2008. Mike Stansbury is a living legend. He influenced his sport in the community and area in ways which perhaps are not fully documented and appreciated. His dedication to the sport of weightlifting is best illustrated by the impact his vision has had on the sport and its prominence in the area and beyond. Mike started a weightlifting team in 1947 and called it “Mike’s Gym.” In 1956 Mike’s Gym became Mike Stanbury’s Health Club Health Club at 411 Jefferson Blvd. started in 1956 Later when Mike became the recreation supervisor for the City of Lafayette, he was successful in develping young lifters who became national champions. Gene Hebert, Mike Thompson, Dick Fleming, Jimmy Reinhardt and Walter Imahara are some of his early lifters. His work with them and others inspired young men from Mike’s home parish to try the sport. These included Terry Perrin, Warren Perrin, Bill LeBlanc, Jay Trahan, Mack Schriefer, Stafford Palombo, Glyn Viltz Cliff LeBlanc and Weldon Granger. Click here for Mike’s profile: http://www.athleticnetwork.net/site.php?pageID=55&profID=8675 Mike Stansbury 181#s In 1956, with the support of SLI Dean Glynn Abel, four members of “Mike’s Gym,” who were SLI students, qualified for the National Collegiate Weightlifting Championship in Columbus, Ohio. Team members included: Stansbury, Stafford Palombo, Cliff LeBlanc and Walter Imahara. With Mike serving as captain, coach and participant, the team earned a second place finish. The following year, with the addition of Louise Riecke (who later set a world snatch record of 325 pounds), the team was successful in winning the first National Collegiate Weightlifting Championships for SLI. Later, the weightlifting teams at USL won seven additional National Collegiate Championships in 1963, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970 and 1971. In 1953, Stansbury met Lloyd “Red” Lerille and invited him to move to Lafayette. In 1956, Mike and his wife Andreé opened “Mike Stansbury’s Health Club, Inc.” on Jefferson Blvd. “Red” Lerille worked with Mike and Andreé in the operation of their business. In 1960, “Red” established “Red’s Health and Racquet Club.” After closing “Mike’s Gym” in 1960, Stansbury returned to Abbeville to run a business he inherited from his father In recognition of his support of the program, Mike was honored, along with other members of the UL weightlifting teams, at the half-time of the UL football game on December 2, 2006. (L to R): Dr. Joseph Murry, Wayne Vizini, Bill LeBlanc, Dr. Jimmy Reinhardt, Al Chutz, Weldon Major, George Weatherford, Dick Fleming, Johnny Arceneaux, Dr. Joseph Gaynor Burleigh, Elwood “T-Boy” Hebert, Warren A. Perrin, Gene Hebert, Terry Perrin, Walter Imahara, Stafford Palombo, Louis Riecke, Mike Thompson, Jim Courville, Rollie Andre, Mike Stansbury Red Lerille, Andree, Mike, and Warren Perrin at the Weightlifters Reunion on Dec. 2, 2006. Click here for the Weightlifting Photo Gallery, then click the year you wish to view: In 1956, he was married to Andree Stansbury and they are the parents of a daughter,three granddaughters,three great-grandsons and one great granddaughter. The Stansbury’s recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Lafayette where they now reside. In the 1970s, the Stansburys took up various hobbies such as photography, scuba diving and spear fishing. Today, they are well-known for their innovative art work primarily involving sculpture. Stansbury is a Life Master bridge player. The Athletic Network is honored to place the spotlight on Kenneth “Mike” Stansbury. Ed Dugas, Coordinator Weight Lifters’ Reunion: Living Legend honoree – Mike Stansbury Warren Perrin, Acadian Museum of Erath Born in Abbeville, Louisiana on November 17, 1930, Mike Stansbury was instrumental in the development of weight training, Olympic weightlifting and body building in Louisiana. As a result, the whole approach to athletic training was revolutionized. He attended Abbeville High School where he was a member of the football team. As a teenager, he began working out with weight lifts at a small gym in the Woodman of the World building in Abbeville. Later, his family moved to Lafayette and he began a weightlifting team in 1947 and called it �Mike’s Gym.” In 1960, he became recreational supervisor for the City of Lafayette. He was very successful in discovering and developing young lifters, including National Collegiate Champions Gene Hebert, Mike Thompson, Dick Fleming, Jimmy Reinhardt and Walter Imahara. His work inspired many other young men from Vermilion Parish to enter the sport of weightlifting, including Terry Perrin, Warren Perrin, Bill LeBlanc, Jay Trahan, Mack Schriefer, Stafford Palombo, Glyn Viltz Cliff LeBlanc and Weldon Granger. In 1949, Stansbury contacted the SAAU and sponsored a novice weightlifting meet in Abbeville, the first such event in south Louisiana. Fifty years ago, in 1956, with the support of SLI Dean Glynn Abel, four members of �Mike’s Gym,” who were SLI students, qualified for the National Collegiate Weightlifting Championship in Columbus, Ohio. Team members included: Stansbury, Stafford Palombo, Cliff LeBlanc and Walter Imahara. The following year, with the addition of Louise Riecke (who later set a world snatch record of 325 pounds), the team was successful in winning the first National Collegiate Weightlifting Championships for SLI. Later, the weightlifting teams at USL won seven additional National Collegiate Championships in 1963, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970 and 1971. In recognition of his support of the program, he will be honored, along with other members of the UL weightlifting teams, at the half-time of the UL football game on December 2nd. Following the game, Stansbury will be inducted into the �Order of Living Legends” by the Acadian Museum of Erath. Stansbury has three degrees from UL: In 1954 he received a BS in Business Administration, in 1956 a BA in Liberal Arts and in 1960 a BS in Art Education. In 1953, Stansbury met Lloyd �Red” Lerille and invited him to move to Lafayette. In 1956, Mike and his wife Andre� opened �Mike Stansbury’s Health Club, Inc.” on Jefferson Blvd. �Red” Lerille worked with Mike and Andre� in the operation of their business. In 1960, �Red” established �Red’s Health and Racquet Club.” After closing �Mike’s Gym” in 1960, Stansbury returned to Abbeville to run a business he inherited from his father. In the 1970s, the Stansburys took up various hobbies such as photography, scuba diving and spear fishing. Today, they are well-known for their innovative art work primarily involving sculpture. Stansbury is a Life Master bridge player. In 1956, he was married to Andree Stansbury and they are the parents of a daughter,three granddaughters,three great-grandsons and one great granddaughter. The Stansbury’s recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Lafayette where they now reside. Acadian Museum supported by the Acadian Heritage & Cultural Foundation, Inc. Fondation Culturelle du Patrimoine Acadien 203 South Broadway, Erath, Louisiana, 70533 (337) 233-5832; (337) 937-5468; Fax (337) 235-4382 WebPage……acadianmuseum.com Published in the AN News on Dec. 1, 2006 Coach, captain, & member of the 1956 & 1957 weightlifting team. Our team placed 2nd in 56 and won the National Championships in 57 I was born in Abbeville, La 1930. Played football. Received a BS in business administration 1954, a BA from the College of Lib Arts in 1956, and a BS from the College of Education with a fine arts major (sculpture). I was recreational supervisor for the city Of Lafayete for a year. My wife, Andree, and I were married in 1956. We have one daughter, a grand daughter, and two great grandsons. They all live in Atlanta. In the 70’s my wife and I took up photography, seriously specializing in nature photography. We also spent many years SCUBA diving and spear fishing. The 540 lb Jew fish displayed above the band stand at Prejean’s is a fish I speared while diving. Our main activity at the present is the creation of fine art, when we are not taking care of other business interest. Sculpture is our main art form. We have several works on display throughout the area. I am also a life master bridge player. In the late 1940s Mike trained and coached a group of young men who competed as Mike’s Gym in weightlifting meets through 1958. Mike and his wife opened Lafayette’s 1st health club in 1956. In 1958, Red Lerille joined them in their business. Mike’s Gym lifters trained at the health club, Mike Stansbury’s Health Club, and formed the base of UL’s 1st weightlifting team. Athletic Network Footnote: Mike coached the university’s first national championship team in 1957, the weightlifting team.
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