Allen Kenneth “Ken” Stanley

Allen Kenneth Stanley, affectionately known to all as “Ken,” a longtime resident of Glen Burnie, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at the age of 84, surrounded by his loving family and under the compassionate care of Hospice of the Chesapeake.

Ken was born on December 8, 1941, in Montgomery, Alabama, to Walter A. Stanley and Alpha (Page) Stanley. After graduating from Glen Burnie High School in 1960, he honorably enlisted in the United States Army, serving his country with pride and dedication.

Following his military service, Ken worked as a mechanic for the Coast Guard, putting his natural mechanical ability and steady work ethic to use. He later continued his career at the David Taylor Research Center with the Department of the Navy as a Mechanical Engineering Technician, where he remained until his retirement in 1998. Throughout his years of service, he was known for his skill, dedication, and the pride he took in doing his work well.

Ken shared a deep, lifelong bond with his wife, Pat, with whom he enjoyed 58 wonderful years of marriage. Their love, partnership, and unwavering support for one another were a source of joy and strength, creating a foundation of happiness that touched everyone around them.

A true craftsman at heart, Ken had a deep passion for firearms and was a highly skilled gunsmith who could repair or build nearly any firearm placed in his hands. His knowledge, precision, and steady patience earned the respect of those who knew his work. He was also a talented woodworker who could build just about anything Pat asked for, turning ideas into beautifully made pieces with care and skill.

Ken loved the outdoors and especially cherished evenings gathered around a campfire. He was always the self-appointed “fire master,” faithfully tending the flames with his trusted poking stick in hand, ensuring the fire burned just right. Around those fires - and also around the kitchen table -he shared animated stories of his youth, recounting adventurous tales of “boys being boys” and the mischief they managed to find. His storytelling, often told with a twinkle in his eye, became treasured family memories.

Ken was a longtime member of the Stoney Creek Fishing & Hunting Club and enjoyed scoring bench rest matches. Ken loved hunting and the fellowship he found with the Glen Burnie Sportsmans Association, where poker nights at the cabin were a favorite tradition. Throughout the year, he carefully set aside his quarters just for poker, never using them for anything else. Those coins became part of the ritual -symbols of laughter, friendly rivalry, and lasting memories. He rarely declined a Crown and ginger or a Bud Light, enjoying the simple pleasures of good company, good drinks, and stories shared late into the evening.

Ken loved music and proudly spent time singing in a barbershop group, lending his voice to harmonies that reflected both friendship and joy. Saturday nights were reserved for one of his favorite traditions, playing cards - where laughter, friendly competition, and time together mattered more than who won.

Ken had a love for travel and adventure. Whether relaxing on cruises, embarking on many memorable cross-country road trips, or enjoying peaceful camping excursions, he embraced life’s experiences fully. He appreciated life’s simple pleasures and cherished the time spent exploring with those he loved most.

Above all, Ken had a deep and abiding love for his children. Though not always expressive with words, his devotion was evident in his steady presence, quiet strength, and unwavering support. His devotion formed the foundation of his family and remains one of his greatest legacies. He will also be remembered for his craftsmanship, loyalty, subtle humor, and the giant bear hugs he shared, all of which live on in the hearts of those who knew him. Ken leaves behind a lasting legacy of dedication, strength, and quiet devotion, and he will be profoundly missed and forever loved.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Walter A. Stanley and Alpha (Page) Stanley; his beloved wife of 58 years, Patricia Ruth (Rumpf) Stanley; his son, Michael Allen Stanley; and his sisters-in-law Nancy Carolyn Wallace and Sheila Gay Rumpf.

He is survived by his children, Mark Kenneth Stanley (Tracie) of Dundalk and Susan Gail Stanley (Edward Tyler) of Timonium; his brothers, Dale Stanley (Sandy) of Georgia and Page Stanley of Florida; his brothers-in-law, Karl William Rumpf of Severna Park, Mark Wallace of Pasadena; his five grandchildren, Katherine Stanley, Star Stanley, Seth Stanley, Dylan Schloer, and Dalton Stanley; and his three great-grandchildren, Ivyanna Stanley-Lauer, Arya Stanley, and Christopher Foster.

Family and friends may visit at the Kirkley-Ruddick Funeral Home on Monday March 16th from 2–4 pm and 7–9 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church (Holy Trinity) on Tuesday March 17th at 10 am.Interment will follow at Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville

Flowers may be sent to Kirkley-Ruddick Funeral Home.

Donations may be made in his memory to a cancer research charity of your choice or Hope for all:https://hopeforall.us/