Stanley Milton Voth

Reverend Stanley Milton Voth died on the 19th December 2025, aged 94, after a lifetime of Christian ministry. He was born in Saigon in 1931, to missionaries based in Thailand. Age 6, he was sent back to Vietnam for school. During the Second World War he was evacuated back to the US, whilst his father, captured by Japanese soldiers, spent time in a prisoner of war camp.

After the war his parents returned to Thailand and Stan was sent to Wheaton Academy, then Wheaton College. He was a fine athlete, representing his school and college in football, wrestling and track and field; he made it to the Illinois State Championships as a shot putter. He worked in various itinerant jobs all over the USA during the school vacations, always carrying a shot put in his bag for practice.

After obtaining a Masters in Biblical Studies and then a Masters of Divinity, Stan discovered Young Life -- a new Christian outreach to teenagers. He worked for Young Life for most of the rest of his career, with various stints in church ministry to supplement this work. In 1964 he married Marjorie Tomasian, who he had met through Young Life; the young couple then travelled to eastern Michigan to start up Young Life there. Eight years later they moved, with their children Karin and Jim, to Rochester, New York to lead the Young Life ministry in that area. ‘Stan the Man’ (as he was often called) became Regional Director in Western New York, before leaving in 1988 to take up a post as Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Winston Salem. Stan and Marge quickly came to love their new home city. Stan worked at Redeemer Presbyterian part time in his final paid role – and volunteered with Young Life as a Committee member and supporter in prayer to the end of his life. He was also a committed volunteer at Habitat for Humanity; he loved gathering teams to build houses. Stan was a great support to many older people in his retirement, whilst never losing his compassion for and interest in the young. He and Marge moved to Salemtowne Retirement Community in 2018, where they quickly settled into life in that community. As his health declined Stan continued to participate in Bible studies, puzzles, Bridge and whist competitions. His competitive nature, built up over a lifetime of playing and watching sports, lasted till the end. His wife beat him in Scrabble one night, and the next day he died.

A service to give thanks for his life will take place at First Presbyterian Church, Winston Salem on Saturday 10th January at 11am.

Stan loved Young Life much more than he loved flowers. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to

Forsyth County Young Life, 2601 Pilgrim Court, Suite 110, Winston-Salem, NC 27106 Or https://giving.younglife.org/StanVoth