Pastor Stanley Ray Chitwood

Pastor Stanley Ray Chitwood was called home to be with our Lord on July 16, 2018. He was born on August 19, 1929 to Ray and Marcella (Salmon) Chitwood. Following High School, he went to Minnesota Bible College and met the love of his life while ice skating. He married that lovely lady, Shirley Ann Benson, on May 27, 1950. Stanley, or Stan as he was known, ministered for over 45 years in SD, WY, WI and CO. He took a brief stint from the ministry to become a carpenter and cabinet maker but was called back to serve the Lord. He loved fishing, camping, canning, hunting, guiding, clock making and repair. He loved to tell jokes and had that dry English sense of humor. In retirement, he volunteered at the Yuma Territorial Prison in AZ always saying he “spent time in the Yuma Arizona Prison.” He was an amazing historian with a photographic memory and had so many talents in various fields. Next to our Lord, he was an extremely loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather and later caretaker for his bride of 68 years. He fought death and medical issues for many years trying to spend, and extend, every moment with his wife. His passing leaves an unimaginable ache in our hearts, but we rejoice in knowing that he has eternal life through Christ.
He is survived by his wife Shirley Ann (Benson) Chitwood, children- John Ray (Leabeth) Chitwood, Jill Francini (Dave), J. Marie Franck (D. Alan) Franck, five grandchildren John Paul Chitwood, Thomas Allen Chitwood, D. Benjamin Franck, Jacob Franck, Eve Franck and 3 Great Grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements are being arranged through Crippin Funeral Home (970.249.2121) in Montrose, CO with services at the Christ’s Church of the Valley, 10 Hillcrest Plaza Way, Montrose, CO; Friday July 20, 2018. Friday visitation is at 2:00 pm and service at 3:00 pm at Christ’s Church of the Valley. Saturday there will be a private service for the family at the Grand View Cemetery & Serenity Cremations Garden in Montrose, CO.