The Reverend Stanley D. Lord, a friend, trailblazer, coach, community leader, and activist, transitioned from this earth into eternal life on Saturday, December 3, 2022. Reverend Lord, affectionately known as “Coach Lord” or “Rev. Lord”, was born in Yonkers, NY. He was celebrated for his strong faith, unwavering activism, and mentoring programs that supported youth and adults.
Rev. Lord was predeceased by his sister Rosalyn Wheeler and brother Roger Wheeler. He was raised by Mrs. Elizabeth Wheeler in New Rochelle, NY. Stanley matriculated through the New Rochelle public school system. As a child, he loved to cook with mommy in the kitchen on Woodbine Avenue. She taught him how to cook the best fried chicken. He was known for this culinary treat by his family and friends.
He was an avid sports fan; in high school, Stanley was a talented athlete. He was a Varsity Football player and an All-American Track Star. He proudly held the lead role in the play Purlie Victorious, written by Ossie Davis and directed the high school gospel choir. Rev. Lord began his Christian walk at Shiloh Baptist Church, New Rochelle, NY, where he served as a Junior Deacon, member of the youth choir and participated in the Christian Education Ministry.
Stanley attended Kansas University where he was a Division I Scholarship Athlete. As an active campus leader, he served as the Vice President of the Black Student Union, United Campus Ministry, Baptist Student Union, and a residence hall assistant. Rev. Lord completed his undergraduate degree at lona College, earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1985. He attended His Excellence Theological Seminary, Newburgh, NY, earning a Theology Degree in 1995.
In 1987, Stanley moved to Connecticut and accepted a full-time Track Coach position at Stamford High School. His passion for track led him to establish the Lord Striders and emerged as one of the nation’s leading youth coaches in Track & Field. In 1999, he was awarded the prestigious East Region Coach of The Year of the USAF which is the USA Track & Field governing body. As founder of the Lord Striders, he single-handedly secured more than a million dollars in scholarships for over 250 athletes who attend colleges throughout the country. As coach, his mantra was “by all means get it done”.
Rev. Lord’s faith was unwavering. He was one of Connecticut’s revered preachers. His fervent worship and dynamic preaching distinguished him as a leader in his conference. During his time at Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, from November 1987 to the present, Rev. Lord has served as Assistant to the Pastor, Dean of Bible Institute, and served on the budget committee. He was the organizer and director of the Seasoned Adult Ministry (SAM). Rev. Lord established activities and social events for the senior church and community members. Rev. Lord also served as president of the Men’s Ministry Christian Men in Action (CMIA) and had established a Men’s Bible Study, “Men in the Word,” and the Youth Christian Education Ministry.
Stanley D. Lord was a civil rights activist who championed voting rights and was a fierce fighter for racial justice. He was a generous and thoughtful leader who led the Greater Bridgeport NAACP to be at the center of the movement for change in the City of Bridgeport. In his role as NAACP President of his local chapter, Rev. Lord was one of Bridgeport’s strongest voices for police accountability who demanded change in our local departments long plagued with racism, misconduct, abuse, and corruption. After George Floyd’s murder in 2020, Reverend Lord served on the Bridgeport Advisory Task Force on Public Safety, which passed strong recommendations for non-law enforcement approaches to public safety, police union contract reforms, and budget transparency, among many others.
Rev. Lord leaves to cherish his precious memory: his loving mother, Rev. Dr. Mary Chris-Largie (husband Patrick Largie) of Panama; his twin brother, Rev. Dr. Stuart C. Lord (Adderly Grant- Lord) of Lafayette, CO; two additional brothers, Kamanie Woods, of Atlanta, GA; Bruce K. Lord (Sheryl K. Lord) of Yonkers, NY; three sisters, Dr. Cindy Chambless (Micheal Chambless) of Pomona, NY; MaryAnn Faulk of Queens, NY; Vickie Lockhart of Long Island, NY; a godson Floyd Lawrence (Pastor Roberta Lawrence) of Bridgeport, CT; a godsister, Samra Coote of Peachtree Corners, GA, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins,
As we celebrate Rev. Lord’s life, let us renew our commitment to his vision “when we stand together in common cause and common purpose, we can do great things.”
Memorial Events:
December 13th
Service
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church
29 Grove St, Stamford, CT
