Stan is a life long resident of Preston County. He grew up on a small farm near Fellowsville.
He graduated in 1966 and attended Alderson-Broadus College in Philippi on an academic scholarship. He received a B.S. in Physical Education and Health and Social Studies in 1970. He served in the US Army from 1970-73. He was stationed at the United States Military Academy. He received a M.S. in Secondary Education from Troy State University in 1975. In 1999 he received a second Master's Degree in Education Leadership from West Virginia University.
Stan currently lives on Laurel Mountain with his wife, Thelma, and daughter, Ashley.