On Sunday, July 26 family, friends, and community joined to participate in a surprise 70th birthday celebration for Leotha Stanley. Known affectionately as “Maestro,” Lee is an institution in the Madison community and beyond. Family and loved ones gathered from near and far for this elegant black, white, and gold soiree. Guests came from San Diego, CA, Seattle, WA, and Nashville, TN to name a few of the locales represented. His wife, Tamera Stanley, deftly orchestrated this surprise party without having to be present for decorations and set up which are her forte.
Leotha’s daughter, Letrice narrated a moving montage of photos that chronicled his amazing life to the theme, “A Life Well Played.” She shared aspects of his life as an athlete, a fire fighter, a musician, and a family man/father. Many were unaware that Leotha was an elite athlete who participated in the track and field trials for the 1984 Olympics. He later became an EMT/firefighter for the Madison Fire Department. Of course, he was a musician from a very early age and directed and played the piano for University of Wisconsin-Madison Gospel Choir which he organized.
As an adult he transitioned to lead the music ministry at Mt. Zion Baptist Church where he has served for four decades. Leotha’s musical talents have taken him all over the country and world. He has performed in Germany and Spain. For almost 20 years, Leotha has helped score the Madison Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas concert where the Mt. Zion Choir regularly performs. Along with his wife Tamera, he is responsible for the “Gospel Carols” concert that draws an audience from throughout Madison and surrounding communities.
The festivities included a video with greetings and well wishes from friends and family throughout the country. The party featured a sumptuous buffet that included chicken, ribs, Swedish meatballs, smoked salmon and lots of crudites prepared and served by local caterer Kipp. Specialty cookies with a music theme were prepared by Dr. Erika Bullock of “A Pretty Smart Cookie.” So many people submitted birthday videos that his family had to limit how many they could show at the party. This is a testimony to how loved and appreciated Leotha Stanley is.
Of course, one of his most important roles is that of a husband and father. His children talked lovingly about his hands-on and devoted attention as a father. Despite the demands of his work and art, he always managed to be a very present father and grandfather. With 3 of his 4 children physically present at the event, Leotha was clearly pleased. However, the most poignant moment of the celebration was at the end of the video of greetings, there was a live video call from his youngest child, his son Derek. The significance of that call was that Derek was recently challenged by a life-threatening health event to which Leotha quickly responded to be by his side in St. Louis. That call produced tears in the eyes of many of the guests along with Leotha and family.
Near the end of the party, Leotha was presented with a citation from State Representative Sheila Stubbs that attests to his contributions to Madison, Dane County, and the State of Wisconsin. It was also testimony to “A Life Well Played!”
