John Stankey; Businessman, Longtime Athlete

John Stankey died Monday at his Ventura home, two years after he was diagnosed with sarcoidosis, a rare chronic disease. He was 51.

Stankey was born in Pasadena and at 16 graduated from Pasadena High School and received a full scholarship to Westmont College in Montecito.

There he studied music, English and literature and met his future wife, Yvonne.

In college he excelled in baseball, basketball and track. After graduating from Westmont, he played three seasons of professional baseball with the Kansas City Royals, until a shoulder injury forced him to retire.

Stankey later began playing golf at the national amateur level.

He was a police officer in Arcadia for nine years before relocating to Ventura where he established a cellular telephone company. He joined the Saticoy Country Club where he played golf and recently was preparing to qualify for the PGA Senior Tour.

In addition to his wife of 30 years, he is survived by their son, Scott; his father Edward; a sister, Ginger; brothers David and Bob; his daughter-in-law, mother-in-law and father-in-law.

Graveside services will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, 5400 Valentine Road, Ventura. Pastor Dan Hull of First Church of the Nazarene of Ventura will officiate.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ted Mayr Funeral Home, Ventura.