Lemley Chapel
Serving Sedro-Woolley &
All of Skagit County Since 1935
1008 Third Street
Sedro-Woolley, WA
360-855-1288
www.LemleyChapel.com
John Ronald Stave Memorial
John Ronald Stave Memorial

John Ronald Stave

John Ronald Stave

Monday, March 8th, 2010

John Ronald Stave, 77, a Sedro-Woolley resident, passed away on Monday, March 8,  2010 at the Linden Grove Care Center in Puyallup, WA.

John was born on February 2, 1933, the youngest of 5 children of Larry and Lillian (Hyldahl) Stave, in Sedro-Woolley Washington.  He graduated from Sedro Woolley High School in 1951, where he sang in the choir and lettered in tennis.  John attended Western Washington College in Bellingham for two years before serving in the armed forces.  His basic training was at Fort Ord, CA in the 6th Infantry Division. He completed his Army service at Fort Lewis, WA, after which, he returned to Western, lettering in tennis and graduating with a business degree.

John worked in the sales of aircraft for McDonald Douglas in Los Angeles, traveling the world.  While in California he began investing in property, which became his true love.  He purchased a  mini-storage complex in Marysville, living there, and operating it for about 25 years. John retired from his Marysville business and remained involved in numerous other entrepreneurial adventures.

In 2007 John purchased his childhood home in Sedro Woolley and moved back there to live in 2009 since he had such fond memories of the community.

John had a great interest in classic cars, particularly Oldsmobile’s, since his father owned the first Oldsmobile dealership in Skagit County.  John always said that he would be buried in his 1969 Oldsmobile 442, which he purchased new in California and has lovingly maintained ever since.

John was a devoted son, brother, uncle, friend, and cousin. He was preceded in death by his parents, Larry and Lillian; his sisters, Evelyn Sizemore, Dorothy Greeley and Andrea Henry and his nephews, Donald Greeley and William Hickman. He is survived by his brother, Larry “Bob” (Jolane) Stave; nephews, James (Mary) Hickman, Charles (Steffanie) Henry and David Sizemore;  nieces, Judy (Richard) Heier, Lori (Nigel) Lewis, Sheri (Dan) Anderson, Lea Hickman, and Linda Carvajal (John) and many great and great-great nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 2:00pm at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley followed by interment at Sedro-Woolley Cemetery.  A reception celebrating John’s life will be held at his home across the street from Lemley Chapel following the services.  The family suggests memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association, 12721 30th Ave. NE. Suite 101, Seattle, WA 98125.

Guestbook

  • Fred Frank

    I met John while stationed at Ft Lewis. We weren’t very excited about our military life, but our interest in singing and sports bonded us. I may have sung (recorded) at his service because Lemley Chapel has purchased some CDs from the Comfort Music, a company I own. My recollections of John (back in 1955-56) include his gentleness and friendliness. Wish we would have kept in touch. It seems that we really had a lot in common.

  • Peggy Woodmansee

    My husband and I (Jack Woodmansee) graduated with John from Sedro Woolley. Kind of lost track of him thru the years, but we are good friends of Jim and Mary Hickman and Jim let us know what he was up to. Didn’t know however that he moved back to his family home – how neat for him. I remember the house well, it was by Karen Ecklund’s house. We were unable to attend his service because we were out of town, but our thoughts were certainlly there. Jack knew Johnny better than I did and I didn’t realize he was so musical…wish he could have taught me to dance…ha ha….Jack has two left feet and thus, I’m not much better. We know you are in a better place…God Bless you Peggy and Jack Woodmansee Class of “51”

  • Abby Ney

    I will truly miss John whom I had the honor and pleasure of working with both in Marysville and Sedro Woolley. John knew what he wanted and was happiest when he was able to return to his childhood home in his beloved SEDRO WOOLLEY.

    Whether we were walking down one of the many local streets or taking country rides together, John and I sang to our hearts content….with John, harmonizing! He had the clear, beautiful voice of an Angel..

    I had to win John’s trust over many weeks and months, but I had this bachelor helping me cook in the kitchen.

    John had a sharp, quick wit, clearly a businessman at heart, loved his LA Lakers and was always a charming gentleman to all the ladies. He loved to dance and listen to musical classics of yesteryear. Judy and Lori who were so very sweet and supportive made all of our efforts more meaningful.I will always have a special place in my heart for you, John

    Abby Ney of Homewatch Caregivers

  • Michaela Kosela

    Though I only knew John for a short time, it was all enjoyable.

    We went for many walks, many drives and worked on many projects together.

    John was always a gentleman and will be greatly missed. I miss his wonderful gift of singing, his wit and humor and the mischievious twinkle in his eye.

  • Liz Miller

    It was a great pleasure working with John. He was so full of spirit and really knew what he wanted. We enjoyed many walks together as he told me all about ‘his town’. Plus teaching me some cool tricks in pool!! John was a great teacher! I will always remember him and how he touched my life!! He will be greatly missed.
    Liz of HomeWatch Caregivers.

  • Veronica Griffiths

    John was such a gentleman.We had the honor to work with him, and learn about his interesting life, and his passion for music and singing. We have many good memories, and you will always be treasured in our hearts.
    Thank you Judy and Lori for trusting us in the care of your beloved Uncle John.
    Veronica from Homewatch Caregivers

  • Rod and Leona Berg

    John,
    It was such a pleasure to know you and be the ones who passed our family home back to you. It was meant to be. After our kids all moved out it was a hard decision to sell our family home. You were the first one to come look when we put up the for sale by owner sign, we walked through together and you explained how things used to be when you lived there as a child with your family. You were so excited but said you would most likely not buy it. One week went by and you called us back extremley worried we had sold it. I said no we hadn’t and right on the phone you said you wanted it. You were so sweet in explaning that you were a sentimemtal guy and you just had to buy it. You explained to us how your family lived there and owned the car dealership on the corner and how cool you were as a teenager with a nice car to drive in Sedro Woolley. We walked over to the corner and you showed us the old shop and explained what it was like way back when. We are sad hear your not there now but know your heart is…
    Bless your heart and our condolences to your family.
    Sincrely,
    Rod & Leona Berg

  • Portland Staves

    We are there in Spirit as the family gathers in Sedro-Wooley to share happy and tender stories of John.
    Don’s fondest childhood memories are of his cousins, spending weeks together at each others homes during the summers and holidays. Larry and Lillian’s kids were as much his siblings as his own brothers and sister. What a laughter-filled mob that was! John was a great storyteller and Don is happy to think of him returning to his family home, which held so many fond memories.
    Lou appreciates John for quickly embracing her into the family when she arrived in Seattle as a new bride. His style of humor always brought to mind her own cousins and made her feel less homesick for her little brother. She says, “Hey, Johnny! We will be seeing you.”
    Thinking of John makes us chuckle. Thank you John.

  • Richard Heier

    Uncle John,

    What an adventure we were able to take together. I will cherish those memories. You lived your life to the fullest always, and you will always have a special place in my heart. Love, Rick

  • Judy Heier

    My Dear Uncle John,

    I love you. I will never forget you and what you brought to me throughout my life. I especially will treasure the wonderful experiences and journey that we took together this last couple of years. You lived life your way, and I will always respect and appreciate that. I miss you now, every day, and appreciate every minute we had together. Thankyou for teaching me how to dance, and being able to ‘follow’ instead of leading, and am so grateful that we danced together every week for over a year, until you needed to return to your original teacher-my mother-Andrea. Love You. ‘Your Niece, Judy’.

  • Jim Boitano

    John was such a kind and interesting man. I remember as a little kid my parents Lou and Carol (his double cousin) took my sister and me to stay with him in California and I thought he was the coolest guy in the world. He took us to the horse track and to Tijuana, which was pretty exciting for a 7 year old. He will be very missed. Jim Boitano

  • Dan & Sheri Anderson

    John will be missed. It has only been in the last several years that we got to be close to John. We enjoyed the time together and will remember all the good times we had. We pray that John is visiting his sisters and that they all are looking and watching over us. Love you John.