Mr. Doug Stover

Originally from Akron, Ohio, Doug followed a long career path in financial management though Maryland, Connecticut, and North Carolina before moving his family to Knoxville in 1975. Doug retired from the pollution control division of Alstom in 1997 after 22 years of service there (and 44 years of work overall).

He was a life-long Christian of the United Methodist denomination. Although never demonstrative about it, Doug’s faith formed the foundation of his life.

Doug valued his family above all other earthly things. He adored his wife, Ruth. Throughout their early married life, Doug and Ruth worked tirelessly on their children’s behalf to provide a loving home, learning and educational opportunities, and the characteristics their children would need for a successful adulthood. After their three kids left home and began careers and families of their own, the family affection only grew. Get-togethers for birthdays, holidays, and as many random visits as possible throughout the week/month/year kept the family bond secure. Hugs abounded. Daily phone calls from all three kids elicited a family joke that it’s a good thing Mom and Dad didn’t have the McCaughey septuplets, or they would never get anything done!

Doug and Ruth celebrated over 56 years of marriage before her passing in 2014. Doug never took off his wedding ring and said just days before he died, “I still love her.” Despite his heartache, Doug continued to champion his children and his grandsons for the rest of his life.

Music played a significant role in Doug’s life. In the 1950’s, he sang in Akron’s Kenmore Methodist Church choir, weddings, and high school dances and shows. As his mellifluous baritone voice became more widely known, he sang in other churches, radio advertisements, and the Akron Barbershop Chorus. Doug recorded several singles which played well on Akron radio stations and sold 6,000 records. He also had thirteen-week stint for a one-hour television show called “The Co-op Jamboree Gang” on WAKR in Akron. Doug chose not to try to pursue a professional career, preferring instead a life with Ruth and family. But Doug and Ruth made sure their children had musical instruments: an organ for Kim, a guitar for Dave, and a flute for Lisa. Music often played in the Stover household – often resulting in Dad’s grabbing Mom’s hand for an impromptu jitterbug.

Doug was an avid golfer, especially after his retirement, enjoying many rounds at Knoxville’s Dead Horse Lake Golf Course. Although not a native Tennesseean, Doug’s blood ran Volunteer orange, as he supported every televised UT sport.

Beyond sports, Doug was intellectually curious. He was intrigued by science: astronomy, archeology, paleoanthropology, and evolutionary biology, especially; and history – the older, the better: Egyptology, Pre-Columbian history, and all ancient histories. He often reiterated how little humans know about the past. New images of the farthest reaches of the universe from the Hubble Space Telescope thrilled him.

Doug will be remembered as a summarily good man: honest, hardworking, and strong, with an irreproachable character and an extraordinarily high sense of integrity. He was quick with the hand of friendship. He saw the cup as half-full – not half-empty, sewed harmony – never enmity, and valued the preciousness of life – even at the very end. Only his capacity for love could eclipse his goodness.

Doug is preceded in death by his parents Paul and Hazel Stover, and his beloved wife, Ruth.

He is survived by his daughter Kimberly A. Stover (Columbus, Indiana); son and daughter-in-law David E. and Sherry Ballinger Stover (Knoxville, Tennessee); daughter and son-in-law Lisa and David Murphy and their sons – Doug’s grandsons – Drew (19) and Jordan (17) Murphy (Maryville, Tennessee); sister Karen L. Miller (Akron, Ohio); nieces and nephews, and grand-dogs. Everyone who knew and loved him will miss his humor, his kindness, and his compassion.

The family will receive friends at Berry Highland West (9913 Sherrill Blvd., Knoxville 37932) on Friday, November 4, from 12:00 – 2:00. Funeral and graveside services will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Amedisys Hospice Foundation, Parkinson’s Foundation, or any high school music department.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BerryHighlandWest.com for the Stover family.