Stanley "Stan" Washington (Lansing)

Stanley James Washington  

The Man - The Life - The Legacy

1st Quarter (Childhood Years): Stanley “Stan the Man” Washington entered this game of life on May 26, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan; the son of the late James and Kathryn Washington. He was the eldest of three children. As a young man, he loved listening to sports on the radio, dancing, hanging out with his cousins, and playing baseball. Stan loved his city. He was a very proud graduate of “The Big N.O.” Detroit Northwestern High School (1962), where he excelled in basketball and baseball. His basketball prowess earned him the nickname “Champ”. This was the start of the coveted family jersey number twenty-four (24). 

2nd Quarter (College Years): Stan’s basketball talent took him to East Lansing. He was recruited and earned a scholarship to play for the Michigan State University (MSU) Spartans, as one of the first Black student-athletes from the City of Detroit. At 6”3’, 175 lbs. (soaking wet), the “Boy Astronaut” stepped onto campus with something to prove. The high-flying, skinny kid from Detroit was there to leave a legacy. Stan was a three-time All-Big Ten selection. He was a double-double machine posting career stats of 18 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. He graduated from Michigan State University with his B.S. in Physical Education. A storied Spartan career led to him being selected as the 48th pick in the 1966 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. While at MSU he became a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. His college friends describe him as a bigger-than-life personality. It was at MSU his friends gave him the nickname “Tuna” because he sported a black leather jacket, Fedora hat, and dark black shades. 

3rd Quarter (Husband/Father/Grandfather/Community Mentor/Work Career): In 1964, Stan met the love of his life Veda Dove. Upon graduation from MSU they stayed in the area and established their family in Lansing.  He remained a proud Detroiter and would often boast, to anyone who would listen, about his love for Motown and all things Motor City. Stan worked at Jackson State Prison for 28 years, first as a counselor, and later as an Assistant Deputy Warden. He was highly respected among both the prison staff and the inmates. Stan and Veda raised 3 sons: Kareem (Kim), Saddi (Channon) and Famoudou (Tedra). He was the ever present “Voice” at all of their sporting events, especially high school & college basketball games. Stan was a father figure, mentor, & “cheerleader” for many young people in the Lansing community. He was always one to offer up words of encouragement, and guidance. One of his famous quotes to his sons was, “I love you…stay alert…and keep your antennas up.” Stan had a reputation of being a tough, sometimes stubborn, “tell it like it is” Dad. However, when it came to his grandkids (Khalil, Sidney, Kamryn, Kendall, Caleb, Lauryn, and Morgan), his personality shifted. “Papa” was a very gentle, doting, and proud grandfather. 

4th Quarter (Stan the Man/survived by): After retirement from the State of Michigan, Stan came to enjoy walking two miles five days a week, his daily errands of getting his food for the day, and attending “Monday Park” in the Summer. Stan played basketball but enjoyed watching all sports.  He was an avid reader of the sports page and viewer of all the sports talk shows. He looked forward to attending the Moneyball Pro-Am in the summer and meeting the incoming freshmen at MSU and other schools. Attending his grandchildren’s sporting and other events brought him great joy. He and Veda traveled the state and country attending plays, concerts, soccer games, basketball games and gymnastics meets. Stan loved his crew of childhood friends, whom he remained very close with throughout life. They got together as a group several times a year. 

Stan is survived by his wife, sons, sisters, Arlene J. Lawrence and Judy Blumberg; brother and sisters-in-law, Joseph Dove, Rose Dove, and Measia Dove; sister/cousin, Shirley Meeks, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. He leaves a lifetime of friends behind to cherish his memory including Maurice, Jimmy Raye, Tennessee, Dennis, Andy, the two Rudys, Sterling, Tiny, Mike, Willie, Jack, & JC; his “Girls,” Becki, Baltimore, Cynthia, Ingrid, LaNita, Lynn, Linda, Pat, Carolyn, Roselle, Paulette, Tonya, his MSU Black Alumni and Spartan Basketball family, and too many others to name. 

Overtime: The family would like to sincerely thank all of the doctors and medical staff who cared for Stan in his final days. He transitioned Home to be with his Lord and Savior on July 12, 2022, at the age of 78 years old. He is now celebrating his greatest post-game victory!