John Stombaugh Jr.

John was born September 3, 1944 to John Stombaugh, Sr., and Mary Jane (Finn) Stombaugh in rural Nile, California. In 1961, John graduated from Encina High School in Sacramento, California and later studied Applied Science and Science & Technology at Lee College in Baytown, Texas where he earned an Associate’s Degree in each in 1988.

In 1961, John enlisted in the United States Navy. He was deployed overseas on the USS Bon Homme Richard (1967), USS Ticonderoga (1968), USS Oriskany (1969), USS Hancock (1975) and the USS Constellation (1977) where he sailed to Singapore, Thailand, Korea, Japan, Hawaii, Alaska and other places across the world. When state-side, he was stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas; Memphis, Tennessee; Alameda and Lemore, California; Pensacola, Florida; Whidbey Island, Washington; and finally Meridian, Mississippi. With numerous service ribbons and awards for his service, AME1 Stombaugh, Jr. was honorably discharged in 1980.

After his military service, John worked as a mechanic for the family business, Reynolds Marine, Inc. until accepting a position with the City of Baytown in the Traffic Control Department in 1990 where he worked until his retirement in 2006.

John met and married Robbie Jo (Reynolds) Stombaugh in 1962 during their service in the U. S. Navy. They raised a family and were married for forty-four years until her passing in 2006. In 2013, John married his longtime companion Debra (Johnston) Stombaugh and enjoyed retirement and time with extended family.

John is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Robbie Jo Stombaugh and sisters, Betty Graham and Joyce Hawk.

John is survived by his current wife, Debra Stombaugh, sister, Virginia Millington, and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

His legacy remains with his and Robbie Jo’s children: Thelma Reynolds, John Douglas and Kim Stombaugh, William “Randy” and Sonya Stombaugh, and Kristie Stombaugh and fiancé Larry Barbo and his step-children from his marriage to Debra: Daniel and Cheryl Wilhelm, Amy Auld and Lori Hartis.

Also, left to cherish his memory are twenty grandchildren: Teresa and Pete Hayes, Julie and Nick Belt, Sarah and Bobby Knoebel, John D Stombaugh Jr, Rebekah and Shea Seip, Alison and Daniel Warrington, Christina and Juan Arroyo, Amanda Stombaugh, Brianna Stombaugh, Brayden Stombaugh, Gabriella Stombaugh and fiancé David “Mack” Coleman, Donovan Stombaugh, Skylar Barbo, Hailey Wilhelm, Averie Wilhelm, Madelynn Medders, Jaxon Vega, Talon Auld, Katelynn Hartis, Laurali Hartis, and Alexander Hartis.

Sixteen great-grandchildren continue his legacy: Alexus Belt, Cainan Belt, Brynne Mayfield, Delyla Mayfield, Nicholas Knoebel, Luke Knoebel, Emma Stombaugh, Kyle Seip, Pippa Warrington, Ulrich Warrington, Julian Arroyo, Levi Arroyo, Alec Arroyo, Jason Arroyo, Logan Arroyo, and Gabriel Coleman.

Visitation will be Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at 1:00 PM at Navarre Funeral Home, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, Texas followed by a memorial service officiated by Rev. Kelley Sexton at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in John’s name to The Wounded Warrior Foundation or to the charity closest to your heart.

Family and friends will gather after the services to continue honoring John and share memories at O’Neals on the Bay, 2651 TX Hwy 146 Business at the marina (children welcome).