Rev. Dr. Stanley L. Counts, Sr., 88, completed his earthly journey at his Kansas City home on Friday, November 30, 2018. Stanley was the oldest of seven children born to Arthur and Grace Counts on Friday, February 21, 1930. Along with his wife, his parents, four of five sisters and one brother transitioned from earth to Glory before him.

He was the Founder and Pastor of Faith Baptist Church, currently worshiping at United MBC, 2745 Campbell Ave., Kansas City, MO. He was also senior professor (24 years) at Western Baptist Bible College, where he taught Greek, Systematic Theology, Discipleship, Evangelism, and was Supervisor of the Master of Divinity Program; and also Chairman of the Chapel Services until his health no longer permitted. He was a substitute teacher for the Kansas City Public Schools; and former Religious Talk Show Host for KPRT AM and KGGN.

He attended R. T. Coles School, graduated from Lincoln High School, K.C., MO in 1947 and attended the University of Nebraska; University of Missouri at Kansas City; St. Paul School of Theology, Kansas City, MO; graduated from Young Life Institute, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Weaver School of Real Estate, Kansas City, MO; Cincinnati Ohio Insurance Institute; graduated from Grace University, Omaha, Nebraska, B.A.; National College, Kansas City, MO, B.A.; Central Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, KS, Master of Divinity; and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, North Kansas City, MO, Doctor of Ministry.

He served honorably in the United States Air Force from 1947 to 1950, where he also served as Captain-Coach for an Air Force Basketball Team. He was a chaplain and Life Member of the NAACP; Past President of the AME Ministerial Alliance of Greater Kansas City; Civic Chairman of the Metropolitan Baptist Ministers Union; and former member of The Concerned Clergy Coalition; The Urban League, American Legion Wayne Miner Post 149; Kansas City Consistory #19; and Teacher Corp; Director of Legal Shield; Past President of Pinkerton Elementary School PTA; and Past President of Southeast Middle School PTSA.

Dr. Counts pastored the following churches: Faith Bible Church, Kansas City, MO; St. James AMEC, Odessa, MO; St. James AMEC, Mayview, MO; St. James AMEC, Higginsville, MO; St. Matthews AMEC, Boonville, MO; Bethel AMEC, Hutchinson, KS; St. Luke AMEC, Lawrence, KS; St. Paul AMEC, and St. Luke AMEC, both of Kansas City, KS; Faith Baptist Temple, Lee's Summit, MO (now Spirit & Truth Ministries); St. Luke AMEC (Westport), Flipper Memorial AMEC (now Power of Faith), St. John AMEC (West side), Gilbert Memorial AMEC, Mariah Walker AMEC, and most recently Faith Baptist Church all of Kansas City, MO.

He was married 53 years to the late Dorothy Jean Lockett Counts. The two were blessed with two children, Lee Kathryn Counts-Pollard (William II) and Stanley L. Counts, Jr. (Lajuana Counts); four grandchildren – Jene', Steffan and Michelle Counts; and William Pollard III; and three great grandchildren – Noelle, Nyla and Nia James whom he leaves to cherish his memory, along with one sister, Carolyn J Anderson; numerous nieces and nephews; sisters and brothers of the Christian calling; and a host of other relatives and dear friends.

Funeral services Saturday, December 8, 11:00 a.m. at Friendship Baptist Church. Visitations Friday, December 7, 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors, with Masonic services at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 8, 9:00-11:00 a.m. at Friendship Baptist Church. Interment Leavenworth National Cemetery, Monday, December 10, at 12:30 p.m. Services conducted by Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors. Condolences may be shared on our website.