John Milton Stinson

Johnny came from a humble country home in rural Kentucky and seemed to feel the need to show he had no limitations. Johnny was larger than life. He accomplished things that even surprised himself. He survived things that most people would not survive. In his teenage years, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War. He later received a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Western Kentucky University. In the mid 1960’s he moved his family to Brevard County, Florida and began his career as an educator. He taught at Creel Elementary and Hoover Junior High School. In the late 1960’s he became principal of Gardendale Elementary. He also served as principal at a few schools over several decades retiring from Sherwood Elementary. After leaving the field of education he became a plant/ landscaping palm farmer and plant broker.

Johnny had many hobbies. In his youth it was race cars, flying planes (and crashing one), professional bowling, and playing cards. He was still winning at cards in his late 80’s (“You’ve got to know when to hold ‘em; know when to fold ‘em”)!

Johnny loved his family. He lost his wife of 73 years (Romona Page Stinson) just five months ago. He was truly heart-broken. He’s preceded in death by his wife, his eldest son, John M. Stinson, Jr., six sisters, Louise Harrington, Katherine Hicks, Maybelle Finn, Wilma Deweese, Betty Carol Livingston, Lois Clell Stinson and three brothers, Robert GD Stinson, Charles Stinson, and William E. Stinson, Jr.

Johnny is survived by his daughter, Romona Lynne Mitchell (Stephen), His son, Robert Blake Stinson, his grandsons Chad Mitchell and Caleb Stinson (Bailey), his granddaughter Mandy-Faith Madigan (Joseph), a great grandson, Charlie Stinson, his brother Paul Stinson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Johnny was a risk taker. He loved cars, his pets, painting art, and talking to people. He even prospected for gold in Alaska! He had high expectations of others and himself. He believed in respecting people for who they were and not for their titles. He was a force to be reckoned with and he will be missed.

There are no services planned at this time and he will be interned in Franklin, Kentucky.