Obituary of Diane Baker Standridge
Diane Baker Standridge reunited with her beloved husband, CW5 Jerry L. Standridge, United States Army Retired, in Heaven on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.
In keeping with her wishes, there are no public services planned for Mrs. Standridge. Holman Funeral Home of Ozark has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Diane was born on April 19, 1949 in Ozark, Alabama to Charlie Robert and Nell Cherry Baker and was an active native of the Wiregrass region. Ever to conquer, never to yield, she bled Burnt Orange and Navy Blue and proudly played Alto Saxophone in the Auburn University Marching Band throughout her student career beginning in 1967, graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Sciences in Education and Minor in Music Education in 1971, and avidly supported her cherished Tigers as a Life Member of the Auburn Alumni Association. Diane returned to her hometown and for the next eight years was employed as a 3rd Grade Teacher at Harry N. Mixon Elementary School. In 1975, she was chosen as Ozark's Elementary Teacher of the Year and was runner-up for the State of Alabama.
Diane met the love of her life, Jerry Lynn Standridge of Pensacola, Florida, when he was stationed at Fort Rucker (now Fort Novosel), Alabama as a saxophonist with the 98th Army Band. They were married on November 19, 1977 on base at the Chapel of the Flags and were ultimately together for 45 years, 3 months, and 18 days. Their early adventures led them to relocate to Bavaria, Germany in 1979 and three months later, they welcomed their only child, Jason Robert.
After remaining at home during her baby’s first year, Diane began a career that regarded adult continuing education as an inherent American value that yielded endless opportunities for our men and women in uniform. She accepted an instructor’s position with Temple University and taught U.S. soldiers basic mathematics at Ansbach, Germany, and in 1981 was chosen as Master Teacher for Temple's programs in Nürnberg, Illesheim, and Crailsheim, Germany. After living in Norfolk, Virginia the family moved to Fort Riley, Kansas in 1983 where Diane was employed by Barton County Community College and continued to teach mathematics for the armed forces, was elevated as the Head of the Mathematics Department, assumed the responsibilities as Curriculum Coordinator, and finally became Deputy Program Director. While simultaneously working full-time, volunteering for The Officers’ Wives’ Club, and raising her son, she entered graduate school and took courses at night.
In 1987, Diane received a Master of Science Degree in Adult, Occupational, & Continuing Education from Kansas State University. She was selected for membership in Phi Kappa Phi, an academic honor society, and Phi Delta Kappa, a professional education fraternity.
The Standridges returned to Germany at Kelly Barracks, Stuttgart in August 1987. There, Diane worked as a federal civil servant as the Community Support Officer for the Möhringen-Degerloch military subcommunity and coordinated holiday festivals; Hail and Farewells; Morale, Welfare, and Recreation activity meetings; band concerts; and school bus transportation for children of senior officers and enlisted personnel. She received the Superior Civilian Service Award, the second highest award for Department of the Army civilian employees and equivalent of the military Legion of Merit, for Outstanding Performance of Duty in the immeasurable preparation, support, and air movement of VII Corps soldiers during Operation Desert Shield/Storm.
After coming back to the United States in 1992, the family spent six years at Clarksville, Tennessee where Diane worked for the University of Kentucky – Hopkinsville Community College as the Assistant Director and later as the Center Director for Emery Riddle Aeronautical University, both positions residing at the Fort Campbell Army Education Center.
The Standridges later transferred to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland in 1998 where Diane became Site Director for Harford Community College and was recognized as “AMC Voice’s Own” for her concert narration skills supporting the 389th Army Band. The family moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia in 2003 where she served as the President of the Board of Directors for The Commons Home Association and was recognized by the Southeastern Virginia Chapter Community Associations Institute as Board of Directors Treasurer and Speaker of the Year. Diane and Jerry rejoined Ozark to begin their retirement in 2019.
Among those preceding Diane in death were her husband and parents; sister Linda Faye Baker; brothers-in-law, Ernie Standridge and Don Crutchfield; and a grandniece, Mary Parker Logan. Among survivors are her son, Jason of Virginia Beach, Virginia; brother and sister-in-law, Bobby and Connie Baker of Ozark; sister-in-law, Darlene Crutchfield of Pensacola, Florida; nieces, Danielle Baker, Lauren Logan, and Katie Baker of Ozark; nephews, Brian Baker and Michael Logan of Ozark; great-nieces, Hollie Baker, Natalie Baker, and Mary Phillips Logan of Ozark; great-nephews, Luke Logan, Gavin Baker, and Will Logan of Ozark; and her precious Shetland Sheepdog, Tre.
Gifts in memory of Diane Baker Standridge may be made to the Auburn University Alumni Band Endowed Scholarship at https://alumniq.auburn.edu/giving/make-a-gift.
