Walter John Stankiewicz, Jr.

Walter John Stankiewicz, Jr. died Tuesday evening, December 22, 2015 at Summit Healthcare Regional Medical Center in Show Low, Navajo County, Arizona.  He was 59 years old.  Walter was born on a Sunday, June 3, 1956 in Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts to his parents, the late Walter John, Sr. and Geraldine Ann (Jackson) Stankiewicz.In 1980, Walter married the love of his life, Candice Baker in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Sadly, she passed away in 1987 while their children will still quite young.  Of everything that Walter was during his life, above all else, he was a loving father to his children, always making sure that their needs were well cared for with an increased abundance of love.  It has also been said of him, by his sister, that "he was an awesome brother."  When his granddaughter was born, he loved and doted on her the way only a grandpa could.  He was so proud of his family; as each and every member of it brought him so much love, joy and happiness. Walter was a man who loved his country.  As a young man, he served in the United States Air Force and, after several years of honorable and faithful service, he was medically retired.  Blessed with an incredible intelligence and gifted mind, following his honorable military discharge, he was able to work for Lockheed Martin and Boeing as a technical writer.  Walter resided many years in Lancaster, California and was able to move to Arizona in 2005.  It needs to be said of Walter that "He was an AVID, AVID Patriots fan," even before their incredible winning streak!Walter is survived by his 2 children:  Samantha Lyn Stankiewicz of Lakeside, Arizona, Jonathan Michael Stankiewicz of Safford, Arizona; his sister, Deborah Ann (Chris) Gibbs of Safford, Arizona; his granddaughter, Destiny Lyn Baker of Rosemond, California; 3 nephews:  Patrick (Samantha) Anderson of Safford, Arizona, Chase (Michelle) Gibbs of Safford, Arizona, Chris (Heather) Gibbs, Jr. of Sandy, Utah; 2 nieces:  Gerri Gibbs of Tucson, Arizona and Carena (Raymond) Bloom of Tucson, Arizona.  Walter is also surived by 2 very dear people whom are considered as his "adopted" kids:  Kim Horn of South Lake Tahoe, California and Joshua Robert Anderson of Lancaster, California.A special memorial service will take place during the Spring of 2016 when his family will gather to lay him to rest in the beauty of heaven's creation atop Mt. Graham, just outside of Safford.