Recently, I reached out to Stanley Wilson for an interview. He had just retired from doing John Adams Middle School (JAMS) security, while working for SMMUSD for 45 years. That in itself is a feat, as so few stay in positions for long tenures these days.
I was also sure I probably knew Stanley as my son attended JAMS for three years. That was confirmed once I saw the retirement video that SMMUSD faculty, staff, and students put together for him. I immediately remembered him letting me in the back gate to drop my son off to orchestra class in the morning and on the school campus. I personally witnessed Stanley’s cheerful disposition and tireless dedication to the students and parents.
Stanley was born and raised in Santa Monica. He attended Grant, JAMS, and Santa Monica High School while living in the Pico Neighborhood. He graduated from high school in 1978. Stanley became a permanent staff member with SMMUSD as an Assistant PE coach not too long after high school on April 27, 1979 where he stayed until 1984. His position took him across numerous school sites.
Stanley became a custodian at Samohi from 1985-1998. In 1998, he began working in Security for JAMS, and was there until his recent retirement.
During his working years, Stanley also coached for Parks & Recreation Little League Baseball with as many as five teams at a time, all while working at the school. He always enjoyed helping the kids succeed. However, he also held the team members to a higher standard, and would not allow them to play if they had an F grade or talked back to their mother.
Stanley shared that what he enjoyed most about his job was being there for the kids. Now, the kids that he used to work with bring their grandkids to meet him.
Stanley also took me down nostalgia lane when he shared that SMC shop classes were held on the site where Virginia Park is now located, and that the Thelma Terry Center was the name that he and his friends used for Memorial Park. They used to say “We are going to Ms. Terry’s to play sports.”
So much history and stories lie within Stanley, and I was grateful to get the opportunity to hear some of them during our talks.
Now, Stanley gets more time to fill his days with ALL the things that bring him fun and enjoyment. His wife, children, and grandchildren are first in line with more adventures immediately following.
We wish him all the best!
By Stacy McClendon
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