Smiling lips and teary eyes.
A memorial service Friday for longtime Wood River Valley resident Stanton Edward Atkinson elicited both lighthearted stories from his life, as well as sorrow at his passing.
"Have you ever heard of a man who got his tongue stuck on rail road tracks when a train is coming?" asked his brother, Don Atkinson. "Well, I have."
The life of a man who was called generous and loving—and a little feisty—was sure to bring laughter to friends and family assembled at the Limelight Room on Friday, May 12.
"In everything, there's always the dichotomy of joy and sorrow," said the Rev. Wendy Collins.
Many stories about Blaine County residents are interlaced, or directly affected, by Stan Atkinson, who died May 4.
The Atkinson family is most widely known for starting the Sun Valley Shopping Center, which opened in 1956.
Now called Atkinsons' Market, the store has expanded to include markets in Ketchum, Hailey and Bellevue.
"We're still here and the market has flourished," Don said. "On July 13th of this year, we'll be here 50 years, with the next generation, my sons, owning and running the market."
"Stan and I worked as a great team," Don added. "We could not have accomplished as much without each other, family, employees and our wonderful friends and customers."
Friend Jay Pace said the year he met him, Stan asked about his family, then recalled all the details when they met again a year later.
That relationship, like so many, blossomed into a lifetime of friendship.
"He was there for us in every circumstance," Pace said. "His was a life that touched so many."
Following the service, people gathered in the halls and foyer to exchange remembrances.
Friend Mick Zenoniani, of Hailey, called Stan "a very giving person."
Added Susan Zenoniani: "He cared for everybody."
Bill Walker, of Twin Falls, grew up with the Atkinson family, and recalled the zest Atkinson displayed for life.
"He always smiled," he said. "He had a joy and passion for life."
Collins said Atkinson would have wanted people to continue caring for each other.
"We should appreciate each moment because our time together here is so short," she said. "His gift to us would be, 'Go out and love more, and that way you honor me.'"
Stanton 'Stan' Edward Atkinson Photo by David N. Seelig
