John Robert Stanton

The Rev. John R. Stanton died on February 7, 2025 after a lengthy illness. Born in Macon, Georgia in 1922, he served four years during World War II as a medical administrative officer. He returned from service to graduate from Mercer University with a B.A. in history. Afterwards, he fulfilled his childhood dream in receiving a Master in Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary. You see, Margaret and Ruth, his sisters, remembered John’s favorite childhood game was “church” where he delivered lessons, sermons and communion. He began his official ministry in the mountains of Virginia, serving in Rocky Mount before being called to Highland Springs. In 1961, he moved his family to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Newport News, where he remained for over twenty years. He guided the church in building programs including the construction of its main sanctuary. With a firm belief that the church is part of its community and has a role in civil discourse, he supported his congregation through the 1960s and 1970s to embrace the goals of the Civil Rights movement, school desegregation and women’s rights. Together they welcomed refugee families from Vietnam into the church family. He volunteered his time on community service boards related to mental health and aging. Governor Holton sent him as a delegate to the White House Conference on Aging in 1971.

After leaving Newport News, Father John returned to Georgia to pursue advanced work in the field of aging. He served in several churches and as staff chaplain at Southern Regional Medical Center until 1998 when he moved to Richmond. Since returning, he served as a supply priest in the Dioceses of Virginia and Southern Virginia. As interim at Trinity in Highland Springs, he picked up where he left off in the 1960s. Later, he supported the community as interim at Church of Our Savior in Midlothian. He celebrated his final Eucharist one week before turning 100.

Wherever Father John’s ministry took him, he cherished lifelong friendships. An avid runner and biker, he raced in the Peachtree Road Race and numerous biking events. He fondly remembered attending a Sunday school lesson conducted by his personal hero, former President Carter.

Father John was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Florence Stanton, brother Clarence Stanton, sisters Margaret Schall and Ruth Flanders and daughter, Catherine. He is survived by his daughter and her husband Elizabeth and Dale Kostelny, nephew, Mark (Beth) Schall, nieces Ruth Schall (Bob Gosselin), Linda Strom, Mary (Scott) Wick Martha (Dan) Fabiano, and Cynthia (Michael) Burnes and numerous great nieces, nephews and friends who truly are family. The family extends their appreciation to the team at James River Hospice for their diligent care and to the A-Team at the Barrington who administered to his needs and that of his family with attentive precision, tenderness and good humor. We are also grateful to the Very Rev. Dr. Jeunée Godsey, the Rev. David Niemeyer and Chaplain Davis Curtis who provided pastoral care.

A memorial  service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, 15 February 2025 at the Barrington 350 Hioaks Road.  An internment at the Virginia Veterans Cemetery at Amelia County will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kostelny Fund at Preservation Virginia (204 West Franklin Street, Richmond VA 23220) , Virginia Theological Seminary (3737 Seminary Road Alexandria, Virginia 22304) or James River Hospice Foundation (9100 Arboretum Parkway, Suite 290 Richmond, VA 23236)