Karl Robert Stanfield

Karl Stanfield passed away unexpectedly on March 1, 2019 at the age of 37.
Karl was born March 21, 1981, to Mark and Toni Stanfield in Detroit, Michigan. A resident of Traverse City since 1989, Karl graduated from Traverse City Central High School in 1999. He holds a degree in Landscape Design and Nursery Management from Michigan State University. Karl had a love affair with rocks, and the affair became contagious among family and friends. Karl used to say that "rocks live forever", and many of us became rock collectors. Through his business, Stanfield Stoneworks, he built beautiful gardens, stone paths, rock walls, outdoor sacred spaces, and captivating landscapes. During the winter months, Karl continued to work making jewelry with polished Petoskey stones and semi-precious stones, glass, and metals. His beautiful pieces of natural art and drawings adorn all of his family and friends living rooms and offices.
For those who loved Karl, we often reflected on St. Francis of Assisi quote: "He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist." Karl was a true artist and we are fortunate to continue to see his beautiful work all around us.
As a natural outdoorsman, Karl was taught to fish at the age of three, He educated all of us that "fishing is a science not a sport". Karl did not just go fishing, he caught fish. He knew all the hotspots in the surrounding area lakes and rivers. His aunt Marcy reminded us that "Karl could find fish in the desert". Karl not only caught fish, he would clean it, fry it and serve it. Fish fry dinners at the Stanfield's are legendary.
Karl's most notable quality was the love he had for people, his kind and generous attention to children, teens and elders was exemplary for a young man. He was many people's soul-friend, he connected to people on a very personal and spiritual level, and embraced us deeply with his love. Karl's sense of humor made it easy for us to forget that he was fiercely fighting the symptoms of bi-polar depression. But like a "miracle flower", blooming out of season, in unfavorable conditions, Karl overcame his numerous manic and depressive episodes for 15 years.
Karl is survived by his parents, Mark and Toni Stanfield, his brother Eric (Jackie), his grandmother Nicolina Petrella, aunts Marcy (Max) Katenhaus, Mary Grace Peterson, Sofia (Mark) Carey, uncle Ennio (Lisa) Petrella, cousins Laurie Miklovic (Peter), Steve (Sara) Katenhaus, Melissa (Aaron) Weber, Michael (Andrea) Petrella, Cara Peterson, Rae Peterson, Vanessa Carey and Victoria Carey, a large extended family and many friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert and Meredith Stanfield, Fausto Petrella and his uncle, Greg Peterson.
A memorial service will be held at Central United Methodist Church, 222 Cass St, Traverse City, MI on Saturday March 9, 2019 at 1:00pm, visitation with the family will be from noon to 1:00pm. If you are lucky enough to own one of Karl's pendants, please wear it at the memorial.
The family asks that memorial donations be made to: NAMI Grand Traverse, PO Box 6932, Traverse City, MI 49696-6932 in Karl's name. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).