03/13/2025
Our founder, Sharon Stanger, has passed away. We will forever be grateful that she started what has today become the company we are.
Sharon Kay (Massey) Stanger, 79, passed away on March 11, 2025, at her home in Independence, Missouri.
Sharon was born on January 27, 1946, in Mountain Grove, Missouri, to Clyde and Mae Massey. She spent her first three years in Mountain Grove before her family moved to Kansas City in 1949.
Sharon married Tom Stanger in 1969, and they raised two boys in the Raytown Missouri area. The family started snow skiing in the mid 70's before it became a popular sport, traveling all over the Rocky Mountains in search of new skiing adventures. In 1981, Sharon and Tom started Stanger Industries, a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning business, out of a desire to provide personalized service. Sharon was the office manager by day, and home manager by night, often inviting employees to stay for a home cooked meal at the end of the day. They operated the business for several years and made many long-lasting relationships with their employees and customers.
Sharon had a deep love for nature and animals, finding great joy in tending to her beautiful flower gardens and caring for animals. She volunteered at a local pet shelter, often taking animals home to care for them until they were adopted. Sharon also enjoyed sewing and made several costumes for dogs and cats to be worn during the annual “Pet Parade”.
In 2016, Sharon placed her trust in Jesus Christ as her Savior, a decision that brought her great peace and comfort as she struggled with COPD and a degenerative eye disease in her later years. Her long struggle is finally over and she's walking the streets of heaven with Jesus, marveling at the Glory of the Living God and breathing in the freshness of eternity.
Sharon is survived by her husband Tom Stanger, sons Scott Stanger (wife Cheryl), and Greg Stanger (wife Holly), five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and cousin and dear friend Charlotte Baca-Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Mae Massey. Sharon was a very kind and tender-hearted woman that was deeply loved by all who knew her. She was a compassionate person always putting the needs of others before her own.
A visitation followed by a memorial service and reception will be held on March 16, 2025, at Floral Hills Funeral Home, located at 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, Missouri, 64133. The visitation service will begin at 1:00 PM followed by memorial service at 2PM and conclude at 4:00 PM.
Sharon had a deep love for animals and ask that donations be sent to Animals Best Friends PO Box 493 Independence MO 64051.
May her memory live forever in the hearts of those who knew her.
