Alvin Joseph Stasney

Alvin Joseph Stasney passed away peacefully at his home in Crosby, Texas on July 19, 2021, at the age of 100.

Alvin was born in Crosby on January 2, 1921, the first child to Millie Zadrapa Stasney and Joseph Stasney.  He had younger twin brothers, Odell and Gordon Stasney, both deceased.  Alvin has three children with his first wife Doris Klima Stasney (deceased); Mark Stasney (wife Janet), Rebecca Smith (husband Rusty) and Laura Roman (husband Joe, deceased). 

Alvin is survived by his wife of 32 years, Virginia Kinney Gibson Stasney.  From Virginia, Alvin has three step children; Troy Gibson, Todd Gibson (deceased) and Tonia Dikeman (husband Dennis).  Alvin has eight grandchildren; Jonathan and Robert Stasney, Anne and Gordon Smith, and Joseph, Christina, Elyssa, and Ava Roman, along with four step-grandchildren; Derrick Gibson, Brittany Godin (husband Noah), Dennis Dikeman II and Courtney Dikeman, and two step great-grandchildren; Cam and Luke Godin. 

Alvin and his brothers lost their father Joseph when Alvin was just four years old.  During that era of the Great Depression, his mother Millie struggled to provide even the most basic necessities for her three sons by taking in laundry and other manual work.  She eventually opened and operated Millie’s Café in Crosby.  In the meantime, Alvin and his brothers largely raised themselves by their own wits and self-reliance, nurtured by the community, hunting & fishing in the woods of the San Jacinto river basin, where Lake Houston and Newport now exist.

When he entered 1st Grade, Alvin spoke no English, only Czech, and wore his very first pair of shoes.  Despite these humble beginnings, Alvin received a solid education from Crosby schools. 

In 1943, Alvin joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II as navigator of a B-24 in the 392nd Bomber Unit stationed in Wendling, England.  He flew 30 missions over Europe and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. 

After the war, Alvin returned to Crosby and ultimately built a dry-cleaning business, purchased a Mobil Oil bulk distributorship that delivered fuel to area farmers and businesses, and built two Mobil Oil retail service stations.  He and his brother Odell were active in the growth of Crosby, building homes and developing real estate.

Alvin loved the outdoors, fishing with his brothers and friends in the waters of Trinity Bay, Matagorda Bay, and 3rd and 8th Pass south of the border in Mexico.  After settling down and starting a family in his 40’s, Alvin’s love of the outdoors continued through his gardening and planting of trees and flowers around his home.  He also enjoyed long family driving vacations in the 1970’s throughout Mexico and the southwestern United States.

Alvin’s greatest devotions in life were to his Catholic Faith, his family, the community of Crosby and to our great nation.   He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather and he was an exceptional example of how a moral, fair, generous and compassionate man should live.  He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 27, 2021, from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm with a Rosary at 7:00 pm at Sterling-White Funeral Home, 11011 Crosby-Lynchburg Rd, Highlands, TX.  The funeral services will be Wednesday, July 28 beginning with a Rosary at 9:30 am followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Crosby, TX. Following the graveside service, a reception with food will be held at a location to be determined.  

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 915 Runneburg Rd, Crosby, TX 77532. Alvin’s son, Mark Stasney, can be reached at markstasney@hotmail.com.