Stanley R. DeRight

DeRIGHT, Stanley R.
Of Portage Stan passed away Thursday evening, April 7, 2011 at his home with his family by his side. He was born October 5, 1925 in Kalamazoo, the son of Stephen and Winifred Meerdink DeRight, and graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1943. Stan was a United States Army Air Corps veteran serving from 1943 to 1946 during World War II as a B-25 navigator in the South Pacific and the occupation of Japan. On June 25, 1949, he was united in marriage to Phyllis Goldsmith in Kalamazoo. In 1950, he graduated with a B.S. degree from Western Michigan University. He worked the majority of his career as an engineer on U.S. Government defense contracts, retiring from General Motors in 1987. Stan and Phyllis lived in Oceanside, CA, Tyler, TX and Rochester, MI before returning to Kalamazoo in 2006. In his free time, Stan enjoyed woodworking, bowling and working on his computer. Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Phyllis DeRight; three children, Tom Cindy DeRight of Grand Blanc, Linda Larry Lueth of Portage, and Nancy Carl Jr. Murdock of Coldwater; six grandchildren, Amanda DeRight, Dianna DeRight, Brian Alexandria Lueth, Brad Lueth, Brett Murdock, and Lauren Murdock; three great-grandchildren, Ethan, Tyler, and Amberlyn; brother-in-law, Richard Susan Goldsmith of Martin; sister-in-law, Delores DeRight of Kalamazoo; and several nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents; brother, Stephen DeRight, Jr.; and infant son, Daniel DeRight. Memorial services will be at 2:00 PM on Tuesday at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th Street, with Pastor Greg Wood officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 12:00 PM until the time of services. Private interment will be at Ft. Custer National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Kalamazoo Air Zoo or Borgess Visiting Nurse and Hospice.