Robert James Stoner

Robert James Stoner passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on January 14, 2019. He had been active and healthy until just one week before his passing. Bob was born February 13, 1930 in Craig, Nebraska.

Bob grew up on the family farm and loved telling his grandkids how he was responsible for milking 11 head of cows morning and evening at the age of 11. He was always large in stature for his age and was doing man's labor at a very young age. He was fortunate to be taught to work by both of his grandfathers who continued doing farm labor well in to their 80's.

Bob's family moved to Stockton, California when he was 15 years of age. The farm tractor broke and there were no parts available because of the war, so his Dad moved for a work opportunity. Bob loved to play football and was a star tackle on his high school teams. He went on to play football on scholarship at the College of Pacific (now University of Pacific) in Stockton, where he graduated with a triple masters in Chemistry, Physics and Math. He chose to follow his career and turned down an offer to play professional football with the Chicago Cardinals in 1952.

He married his sweetheart, Shirley Jeanne Llewellyn  on February 1, 1951. Bob and Shirley wanted a family but unfortunately were not able to have their own children. They were blessed to adopt. First they got Thomas Edward, born April 8, 1954 and then Teresa Elizabeth on September 5, 1957. The family enjoyed many camping trips to Yosemite which was near their home in Northern California. Bob and Shirley were married for 55 years before Shirley passed away in 2006. Bob and Shirley were active members of the Lutheran church and met while working with the youth in the Luther League.

Bob spent the majority of his working life in the paper industry as a chemist and technical director. He began his career at Fiberboard Industries in Antioch, California and then in 1970 moved to Show Low, AZ so he could work for Southwest Forest Industries located in Snowflake. For about 11 years from 1974-1985 Bob and Shirley owned and operated the Pinetop Western Auto store. They especially loved the Apache people and made friends with many of them. They both loved the outdoors and spent numerous nights in their camp trailer parked at one of the reservation lakes.

Bob finished his career in Ketchikan, Alaska working for Louisiana Pacific Paper Company after they closed the Western Auto store due to the economic downturn. They lived in Alaska for 11 years and returned to Pinetop and their home they loved in White Mountain Summer Homes in 1996.

In 2012, Bob moved to Show Low where Terri, Chris and Dee could take better care of him. Dad lived on the same street as Chris and Terri. When the great-grandkids would come to town he loved to take them to breakfast at Aunt Nancy's restaurant. He was thrilled when the kids would walk down the street on their own to visit at his house. He was a very generous man and spoiled all waitresses with big tips and his grandchildren with generous Christmas gifts.

He is survived by his daughter Teresa Holladay and son-in-law, Chris Holladay of Show Low; daughters in law, Annie Flores & Dee Stoner of Show Low; his only brother, William C Stoner Jr. of Stockton, California;  8 grandchildren, Thomas Phillip Stoner, RJ Stoner, Mary Beth Stoner, Tim Holladay, Bryan Holladay, Kenneth Holladay, Sean Holladay and Skip Holladay; 28 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley J. Stoner, his son, Thomas Edward Stoner and a grandson, Christopher Stoner.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at Owens Livingston Mortuary, White Mountain Chapel, 320 N. 9th St. Show Low, AZ.