On behalf of the family of Stanley Eugene Owens Sr, better known as “Stan the Man” to all the many loyal fans of his “Classic Country Breakfast” show that aired on WQNZ 95 Country on Sunday mornings, we wish to express our heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of support you have shown our family for our loss.

Stan the Man was filling in Saturday night instead of doing his usual Sunday morning slot. At about 11 p.m. Stan apparently had a massive heart attack but finished his shift at midnight and went home. Martha, his wife, thought it was odd that he didn’t stop for his routine milk and corn bread before going to bed. Instead he walked straight to the bedroom and said something to her about “I’m glad this night is over.” Sunday morning and into the afternoon he could not keep any food down and told Martha “I think it’s my heart.” Stan was taken to the hospital, where it was determined that he had a massive heart attack. After being transported to McComb’s Cardiovascular Institute his kidneys had shut down and his heart could not keep up. “Stan the Man” passed away sometime around 9:40 p.m. Tuesday night.

Stan the Man was 71 years young and had never in his life been admitted to the hospital. Not even the emergency room. Stan left behind his gem of 51 years, his wife Martha, a son, Stan Jr., and his wife, Debbie, a daughter Cherry and her husband, Ricky, one brother, David “Bunny” Owens, three sisters, Mitzi Foreman and husband, Jim, Gloria Baggett and husband, Bob, and Janice Stewert and her husband, Push. Stan’s grandchildren were the loves of his life: LeAnn and her husband, D.J. Preiss, Stephen Zito, Andy Moon, Brittney Holzhauer and Meghan Zito. Watching his grandchildren grow up to be the young adults they are were some of the happiest moments of his life. And his granddogs Cookie, Chance, Chick and Chloe.

We knew that Stan had many loyal fans by the way he would come home on a Sunday afternoon and talk about the many requests that were made that morning. Stan’s fans would stop us in the store or on the street and asked about him when they realized he was our husband, dad, brother or grandfather, or would stop him while we were anywhere and start talking about classic country music. Stan never met a stranger.

Stan loved radio, plain and simple. In his youth he would stop by the AM station in Centreville and do little odd jobs. He would do any job just to be close to that transmitter. He was involved in amateur radio for 40 years and was assigned the call sign WA5CAM. Martha, his wife, had even made the mistake of mentioning to his boss at WQNZ that Stan would probably work for free. Stan’s paycheck came in every time he answered the request line.

But what happened Wednesday as news of his death started to spread, and 95 Country started taking requests on his behalf overwhelmed our family. We never realized how much his fans really loved him. We mean really loved him. The entire day on WQNZ was filled with fans relating their experiences with the man they had admired, loved, respected or just considered a friend. Our family did not realize the true impact that “Stan the Man” had on our community. As the day went on we heard friends, neighbors and then even nephews, nieces and even his sister from as far away as Independence, La., calling in expressing their thoughts on a man we already knew was the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Stan was always somewhere near a grandchild and whatever sport they were currently involved in. He had been active in local youth sports even before his own children were old enough to be involved and coached a lot of our local youth. It is because of his involvement that we ask that in lieu of flowers that a donation be sent to your favorite local sports team or organization.

Our family expresses our sincere thanks for all that everyone has done during this time of sadness for our family but after what we witnessed Wednesday and knowing the type of man Stan was he would not want us to stop there.

Our family sends our sympathy to all his loyal fans that will no longer know when it’s “Catalog Time” and to let you know that it was our pleasure to share “Stan the Man” with you for over 20 years. And from his family to you, on “Stan the Man’s” behalf, it’s now “Fried Okra Time”

Stan Owens Jr. and the family of “Stan the Man”

Stanley Eugene Owens, Sr.

Natchez resident