Gerald Stavely a 50 year resident and well known business owner of Irving passed away August 1, 2015. He was born February 9, 1936 in Trenton, Tennessee to Lewis Lee and Frankie Marie Stavely. Gerald was initially a farmer in Tennessee, owning two farms by the age of 21. He moved to Irving in 1966 to learn the dry cleaning business where he has owned and operated Gerald Stavely Martinizing for 50 years. He obtained a “Master Franchise” with One Hour Martinizing, ultimately owning twelve dry cleaning locations and three laundry facilities. In 2003, Gerald teamed with Phil Cates to pass the Texas Dry Cleaner Remediation Bill. This legislation established a cleanup program that greatly benefitted all dry cleaners in Texas. With Gerald’s continued gentle shepherding, the program enjoyed wide support from the Texas dry cleaner industry and became a model for remediation programs in other states. In 2007, Martin Franchises presented him with the lifetime achievement award for his contributions to the drycleaning industry, and the International Fabricare Institute presented him the IFI Meritorious Service Award. Gerald was a man of integrity who was known for his generosity to the community and to his valued employees. Treat others as you would want to be treated, that was Gerald's way. He built many personal and professional relationships based on this belief. He generously supported, both financially and with free giving of his time to many organizations, including: Irving Hospital Foundation and the foundation’s annual Texas-Fest fund-raiser; the Irving Arts Center; the Cultural Affairs Council of Irving, the YWCA, Irving Heart Association, Boy Scouts of America, the Irving Community Television Network’s weekly showing of the Irving High School football games. In addition, he and his wife Joyce opened their home to the Irving Bar Association, the Christmas in August event for Irving CARES, guests from Irving’s two sister cities and the Irving Rotary Club. He also served on several boards of directors and as chairman or as committee chairman for YWCA, the Irving Chamber of Commerce, the Irving Heart Association, various bank boards, the Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Infant Intervention Center of Irving. He was named Businessman of the Year by the Irving Rotary Club; was former president of Irving AMBUCS who twice named him Citizen of the Year. Gerald was an enthusiastic traveler, having traveled to more than 30 countries with family and friends. He believed travel was an extended form of education.He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Betty Coleman. Left to carry on his legacy are his wife Joyce Stavely of Irving; daughters Debra Stavely Reed of Milan, TN; Janice Stavely Knott and husband Bob of Milan, TN; son Tony Glynn Stavely and wife Cristy of Athens, TX; step-daughter Pam Darcy Radziszewski and husband Ray of Vadnais Heights, MN; step-son Joe Darcy and wife Robin of Coppell, TX; grandchildren Marcus Priddy of Smyrna, TN; Jessica Knott White of Milan, TN; Jason Radziszewski of Beaver Dam, WI; Jessica Radziszewski of Vadnais Heights, MN and Austin Darcy of Coppell, TX, and two great grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 8:30 on Wednesday August 5, 2015 at Brown’s Memorial Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 1:30 PM on Thursday August 6, 2015 at Oak View Baptist Church, 1004 S. Story Road, Irving, TX with Rev. Wallace Philpot officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens in Irving. The family is requesting memorial donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org and the DFW Animal Shelter of Irving, 4140 Valley View Lane, Irving, TX 75038 or DFWhumane.com.

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