Stanley Burton Johnson, age 88 of Old Fields, WV, passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at the Hospice Care Unit in Kearneysville, WV.

Stanley, the second of four sons of the late Walter C. and Clara Shope Johnson, was born on the family farm in Pine Hall, PA on November 12, 1937. He graduated from State College High School in 1955; attended Mercersburg Academy for one year and obtained a B.S. in Forestry from Penn State University in 1960.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann Gray Johnson whom he married on August 29, 1959. They have two children: Jonathan Allen (Dee Neff) of Annville, PA and Candace Marie Bintrim (Tim) of North Beach, MD. There are four grandchildren and three great grandsons. Also surviving are two brothers: Royce of Julian, PA and Walter, Jr of Brockport, NY.

Stanley spent six years in southern Georgia as a forester for Union Camp Paper Corp where he managed 50,000 acres of forest land. He returned to PSU for his Master of Forestry in Parks and Recreation in 1969. The same year, Stanley created a two-year degree program in Parks and Recreation at the Butler County Community College, Butler, PA.

In 1973, he developed a senior level program in Parks and Recreation at Slippery Rock University. Stanley spent the next 30 years at Slippery Rock teaching many of today's Parks and Recreation professionals. In 1999, he retired as a Professor Emeritus from the University.

Stanley said many times: "I never had a job! I had many careers which I loved and therefore it WAS NOT WORK."

His love of the outdoors and nature was his drawing card. He loved the mountains of West Virginia where he and his wife settled in 1999.

Stanley was a member of the Duffy Memorial Methodist Church and a 50-year member of the Moorefield Lodge #29 A.F. & A.M.

At his request, Stanley was cremated and his cremains will be interred at Gray's Cemetery in Half Moon Valley, PA at the convenience of his family. At a later date, a Celebration of Life will honor him at Duffy Memorial Methodist Church.

To offer condolences, share memories, or upload photos in honor of Stanley’s extraordinary life, visit his Tribute Wall at www.fraleyfuneralhome.com and celebrate the impact he made on all those around him.

Copyright © 2026 Fraley Funeral Home, LLC.