Fifty-three days after losing his sweet wife, Stanley Ray Legg Jr. joined her on February 16, 2023. Stan was born on October 22, 1946, to Stanley Ray Sr. and Ramona Craner in Wendell, Idaho. Stan grew up living in small towns in southern Idaho. During his teen years his family moved to Boise. Stan attended Borah High School. While at BHS he played varsity football for the Lions. He was not considered to be a star athlete. What was most transformative to Stan during this time in his life was playing for Coach Ed Troxel. Coach Troxel's influence instilled his passion for working with youth. This example helped shape the remainder of his life. Stan graduated from Borah High in 1965. After high school, Stan joined the United States Navy where he went on to serve two tours in Vietnam. Stan found it difficult to talk about this experience, but he was extremely proud to be a Vietnam Veteran. Stan met the love of his life, Merlynn Sue Vowles in Dugway, Utah in 1969. Stan and Merlynn dated for a short time and were married on February 7, 1970, and were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Soon after they married, they moved to Idaho, eventually settling in Nampa. Here they raised their four children: Derrick, Bubba, Nathan and Sarah Bee on a small farm on Happy Valley Road. This is also where Stan met Keti and Ati Bloomfield and developed a lifelong bond with the Bloomfield family. Keti and Ati's eight kids became Stan's "Tongan children," who he loved like they were his own. Later on, Rodney Goscinski moved in and became Stan and Merlynn's 5th child. In 1970, Stan began working at the Boise, later renamed National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) as a foreman in the supply warehouse. It's here he was introduced to an inspiring mentor, Jack Wilson and where he enjoyed many friendships with colleagues. During his years at NIFC, Stan "dressed up" as Smokey Bear where he visited several elementary schools talking about fire safety. You could also find him wearing his blistering hot Smokey suit waving to crowds in local parades. Through this, Stan gained the title of "The REAL Smokey Bear." Stan felt his greatest blessing at NIFC was being in a position to hire summer employees to work through fire season. This provided hundreds of young adults with a job that offered substantial pay in a short span of time and allowed his summer workers the opportunity to chase their goals by attending college and serving missions. Stan retired from NIFC in 2013, wrapping up a 43-year career in wildfire suppression. Stan was a dedicated volunteer for the Boy Scouts of America. He served in different leadership roles for over five decades. Scouting was extremely meaningful to him. He proudly kept a list of the Eagle Scouts he worked with, and this list numbered in the hundreds. Three of Stan's sons are on this list. Stan was awarded the Silver Beaver for his years of distinguished service and in 2014 his family proudly watched as Stan was enshrined in the Boy Scouts of America Hall of Fame. Stan and Merlynn were strong supporters of youth and high school athletics. They ran the youth basketball program in Nampa for many years. In 2014, Stan and his wife were enshrined in the Nampa High School Athletic Hall of Fame for their years of support to their own children and other Nampa High athletes. Stan put off retirement for almost a decade, unsure of what to do with his time. He found his new calling when he, along with his wife, became the head coaches for the Boise Community Special Olympics team. Stan and Merlynn threw themselves fully into this role. They became "Grandpa and Grandma Legg" to over 200 Special Olympic athletes. He loved the hugs and high fives from these great champions. These were wonderful years as this adventure included three generations of Leggs. Stan converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his early 20's. He loved the Savior and looked forward to being reunited with his Heavenly Father. His passion for youth was magnified as he served in many callings where he blessed the lives of the young adults trying to figure out their place in the world. He loved diving into family history and acted like a hyper child when he received his DNA test results just two weeks before he died. He often reminded those around him he came from "Royal" bloodlines from centuries ago. Stan loved being a Grandpa to his 17 grandkids. He and Merlynn never missed a game, a performance, church event or a birthday party. Always the first to arrive. Grandpa has hours and hours of videotapes as he video recorded everything that involved his grandchildren. They are going to miss their grandparents greatly. Stan had many titles in his life. Husband, Father, Grandfather, Son, Brother, Coach, Scoutmaster, Smokey, Hall of Famer, Vietnam Veteran, Boise State Graduate, Boise State Fan, and good friend. Stan made a far-reaching impact in his 76 years. Through his service in Scouting, Church, Youth Sports, NIFC, Special Olympics and as a neighbor and friend, he has improved the lives of thousands of people. Stan's family would like to say thank you to Dr. Jared Scott and Dr. Larry Fiorentino who provided medical care and who Stan considered his friends. Thanks also to those who prayed for him in his final days. Stan is survived by his children: Derrick (Corla), Bubba (Michelle), Nathan (Teri), Sarah Bee (JO), and Rodney (Jessica). Stan is also survived by his 17 grandchildren: Audralynn, Brooklyn (TJ), Porter, Caitlyn, Dylan, Ellie, Jane, Braxton, Taelynne, Jaxon, Maddix, Aleah, Raegen, Ace, Maizee Kay, Landon, Tayla; her two great-grandchildren, Carly and Ava; his siblings: Galen (Tamma), Terry (Susan), Mike (Michelle), Kelly (Doug) and Andy (Tina); and several nephews and nieces; his eight "Tongan children": Esita, Nina, Ketrisha, Magoo, Henry, David, Ati and Gabriel; along with many family and friends he loved. He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Merlynn Sue Legg; his parents Stan and Ramona; grandparents: Ray and Lavilla Gillan Legg, Hyrum and Maude Birch Craner; and his beloved athletes: Bobby, Greg, Rusty and Reuben. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, February 24, 2023, at the Greenhurst LDS Building, 3904 E Greenhurst Rd, Nampa, ID 83686. A viewing will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Thursday, February 23, 2023, at Zeyer Funeral Home, 83 N. Midland Blvd., Nampa, Idaho and again at the Church from 9:30 to 10:30 AM prior to the services.
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