James Copley Stover

A beloved man has passed away and we mourn our loss. But we also celebrate because Jim Stover touched many lives: reminding us of the importance of self-discipline, a strong work ethic, financial independence, planning for the future, and of generous giving to improve the lives of others. We can also take instruction from his exemplary life story -- a simple, and simply American one. Jim Stover lived to provide for his family, served his country, and died while still looking forward to the future.

James C. Stover, known to his friends as “Jim” or “Smokey”, passed away on February 7, 2018, at the age of 90 due to complications from pneumonia. Born in Robinson, Illinois, on January 17, 1928, to Nelson T. and Beulah Copley Stover, Jim was predeceased by his wife Ann Allebach Stover, brother Robert Nelson Stover, sister Patricia Ann Stover Swinger, and daughter Susan Sutherland Couvillon. He is survived by his daughter Nancy Norman (John), his son James “Fritz” Stover (Joanne), his son-in-law Michael Couvillon, grandchildren Wil Carson, Katie Thomas, and Eric Summers, four great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Jim grew up in Robinson, Illinois, and graduated from the University of Missouri at Columbia where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He was a drummer in the University band and orchestra, as well as the drum major of the University marching band for two years. He met his wife Ann during college and they were married in Albany, Missouri, in September 1950.

After moving to Wilmington, Delaware, to start a career with the DuPont Company, Jim was drafted and served as an Army combat engineer in Korea; he was honorably discharged in August 1952.

Jim’s career with DuPont took his family to Natick, Massachusetts; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Media, Pennsylvania; Dallas, and Houston, Texas. In December 1984, he retired in Houston after 35 years of service with DuPont as the National Account Manager and Special Services Supervisor for DuPont’s Petroleum Chemicals Division, Southern Region. While living in Tulsa, Jim coached his son’s Little League baseball team for three years. He was involved as a church youth group leader and as an usher at several Methodist churches he and his family attended, and he volunteered at the Memorial City Hospital in Houston for four years after his retirement. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Tulsa, and the Elks and Eagles Lodges in New Braunfels.

In 1991 Jim and Ann moved to New Braunfels, Texas, where Jim was a member of the First United Methodist Church, a member of the church choir, and a head usher. In 2000, Jim began assisting friends with investment advice and became a skilled investor. He was a generous contributor helping the Comal Senior Center, many individuals, and several charities including scholarship programs and support for groups in South Congo and Zambia. Jim also created lasting friendships by organizing ‘The Golf Society’ for his golfing friends and their wives in New Braunfels.

The family would like to express profound gratitude to Maria Gomez, and Tito and Sonia Moreno for their extraordinary kindness, loving care, friendship and devotion to Jim over many years.

A celebration of Jim’s life will take place Saturday, April 7, 4:30 p.m., at Zoeller Funeral Home, 615 Landa St., New Braunfels, TX. Memorials in Jim’s name may be made to First United Methodist Church New Braunfels Foundation, 572 W. San Antonio St., New Braunfels, TX 78130, or online at www.fumcnb.org/give

Condolences for the family may be left by signing the online guest book by entering

“Zoeller Funeral Home - James Stover Guest Book ” into an Internet search engine, or by mail: P.O. Box 210144, Auke Bay, AK 99821