Col. John Morris Stoen

Col. Stoen, 64, passed away on August 1st. Colonel Stoen (Call Sign “John Boy”) served two tours in Vietnam as an Aviation Battalion Helicopter pilot before returning to support military operations in the US, as a Flight Commander for the US Army Aviation School among other prestigious posts in the Reserves. He topped off his military career with a stint as an officer serving the US Joint Forces Command Warfighting Center in Norfolk, VA. His numerous awards included the Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Master Army Aviation Aviator and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Tree. His passion for flying translated into his civilian life as an Aviation Insurance Broker and Principal in his firm, Aviation Safety Consulting.

John was a true blue soldier with a sly wit; his charm and vitality pulled people to him. He had crinkles near his blue eyes from his constant grin – one which hinted he was game for anything. John is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Cheryl, their daughter Michele and goddaughter, Jodi Penney. He is also survived by his sisters, Pat Stoen, Maureen Stoen, Carol Goodman, Mary Royer, and brother Michael and step-brother, Doug Refvem. His nieces are Lisa and Leslie Stoen and Bryana Alameida, Holly Birch, and nephew Chris Royer.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 am Thursday, August 4, 2011 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 6828 Old Reid Road, with the Reverend Mark S. Lawlor, Celebrant.

The family requests donations to the Chris Elliot Fund for Glioblastoma Brain Tumor Research.