James (Jim) Richard Stovall, 94, was born March 10, 1927 in Willows, CA and peacefully graduated to his heavenly home December 12, 2021 in Shreveport, LA. He was the son of Harvey and Mary Elizabeth Stovall.
Jim is survived by his wife Susann Collette Stovall; siblings Ella Green and Larry and Kathy Stovall; children Chuck and Marianne Stovall, Mary and Gary Waterman Philpot, Sally and Ron Zielke, Mike and Dena Martindale and Candy Cash; grandchildren Jesse and Jennifer Stovall, Anna and Chris Gardner, Sarah and Josh Wehrli, Kayla and David Jones, Brooke and Ezra Witt, Casey Martindale, Emily Cash, Micah Martindale and Ethan Cash; 14 great grandchildren and one great great grandson.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Bonnie Stovall, grandson Samuel Stovall, sister Beulah Gilevich, son-in-law Darrel Waterman and daughter-in-law LaNell Stovall.
After graduating from high school a year early, Jim was a purser in the US Merchant Marines on Liberty ships from 1944 to 1947 sailing around the world in 1945. After his discharge from military service, he married his high school sweetheart Bonnie Cooper, a marriage lasting nearly 55 years. In 1947 Jim settled into a sales career starting with commercial paper products for 11 years and then 35 years with New York Life Insurance Company as a Field Agent. It was during this time that he helped hundreds of clients with their insurance needs and mentored several agents. One particular highlight was serving a year on the NY Life Agents Advisory Council which included a week with other council members in New York City at the home office. After retirement he and Bonnie traveled the US in their fifth wheel home until her death in 2002. In 2004 Jim married Susann Collette in Exeter, CA.
Jim enjoyed flying small planes but he spent the majority of his time with family which included a lot of travelling. He also devoted much time to being a servant leader in various Churches of Christ in central California. Before moving to Shreveport, LA in 2013, Jim was a longtime elder at the Exeter Church of Christ in Exeter, CA. He was also instrumental in helping start The Manor House next to the church, a ministry providing cottages and independent living apartments for seniors.
A memorial service will be held January 8, 2022 at 11:00 am at the University Church of Christ, 2045 E. 70th Street, Shreveport, LA with burial of his ashes at a later date in Exeter, CA.
In lieu of flowers, Jim and his family request memorial donations be sent to The Manor House, Exeter Christian Services, Inc., 710 Lenox Ave., Exeter, CA 93221.
I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6
