Jim H. Stover, 87, a longtime Burlington resident, passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, January 27, 2008.
He was born on March 13, 1920 in Sheffield, Pennsylvania, the son of Francis Adelbert & Grace Bergen Loy Stover. As a child the family moved to northern Michigan and there he was raised and attended school.
As a young man, Jim worked at the Henry Ford plant and at a nursery before being drafted into the Army during WW II. After landscaping for the Army in Texas and Oklahoma, Jim participated in the D Day Invasion, landing on the beaches of Normandy. As a supply Sergeant, he advanced through Europe and won a Bronze Star for his efforts in coordinating for planes to fly to northern Africa, bringing food to Allied troops encircled by the Germans.
After the war he married Dorothy Louise Parr in Michigan. They bought a 360 acre farm in northern Michigan, raising their 5 children there and on Long Lake. Jim, an accomplished second generation carpenter, became a partner in a construction firm in Michigan where he was an expert blueprint reader, project estimator and supervisor.
From 1957 to 1960 the family made their home in the Skagit Valley where Jim was Superintendent of concrete work for the Upper & Lower Baker Dams for Stone & Webster. They returned to Michigan for 9 years and in 1969, after selling the farm and lake properties they returned to the Skagit Valley where Jim became a partner in commercial construction. He retired in 1981.
He has been a member of the Masonic Lodge since 1969, serving as Grand Master and as leader of the Building Committee.
After the death of his wife in 1981, Jim was united in marriage to Dorothy Elaine Brown Harding in 1984. They enjoyed traveling throughout the southwest and western Mexico in their motor home and tending to his beautiful gardens which were a focal point for their extended family.
Jim will be remembered as an outstanding naturalist, deeply knowledgeable about animals and their habitats and as an expert gardener and carpenter. He was also always constructively busy in the outdoors, devoted to his family, and as a good storyteller and businessman. He will be missed for his great intelligence, handsome blue eyes and loving heart. We have enjoyed his unwavering support.
Jim is survived by his wife Dorothy at the family home in Burlington. His five children, Ann Tennyson and her husband Dave, Bets Stover and her husband John Murphy, Jeff Stover, Jaye Stover and Bert Stover and his wife Teresa Holder. Seven grandchildren, Alissa, Keri, Britney, Cheyann, Alexyia, Parr and Preston and many extended family members in Onaway, Michigan and around Michigan State.
Jim’s family wish to thank Dr. Eric Stark and Faye Hoyt for their care for Jim.
Memorials are suggested to Skagit Hospice or to United General Hospital.
Memorial Services for Jim will be held on Friday, February 1, 2008 at 1:00 PM at the United Lodge # 93, F&AM, 106 Warner Street in Sedro-Woolley with Lodge members and Pastor Wayne Stiles officiating.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.