Obituary

John Howard Stover

August 28, 1954 - September 5, 2026

John Howard Stover, age 72, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on September 5, 2026, surrounded by the people he loved most. After a life filled with adventure, faith, family, friendship, hard work, and an abiding love of the outdoors, John peacefully entered his eternal home in Heaven, where we know he was welcomed with the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

John was born on August 28, 1954, in Los Angeles, California, to Howard and Virginia Stover, both of whom preceded him in death. His family eventually settled in Pungo, Virginia, a place that held many of John's fondest childhood memories. It was in Pungo that John's lifelong love of fishing began. As children, John and his siblings would make their way through the creeks and roads of Pungo and to Back Bay with nothing more than cane poles they had rigged themselves with line, bobbers, sinkers, and hooks. Money was tight, but that never stopped John from finding a way to fish. His sister Nancy remembers those days fondly—the long walks and bike rides, the giant cottonmouth snakes they encountered along the way, and the excitement of hooking a big bass, only to sometimes have the cane pole break under the strain. Those fishing trips may have been simple, but they created memories that lasted a lifetime. It was also during those years that John met Edward “Uncle Ed” Cartier, who would become not only his lifelong best friend, but his chosen brother. John always said that Uncle Ed had his back, and he had Ed's back—no matter what. They were quite the pair, and their friendship remained one of the great constants throughout John's life. At just 17 years old, John left home with a duffle bag and set out to find work. He hitchhiked across the country, worked on fishing boats. In the mid-1970s, John and Ed hit the road together, hitchhiking across the country until they eventually made their way to Florida. While in Florida, John became a shrimp boat captain in Key West. He loved telling stories from those days, including meeting Jimmy Buffett while he was performing on the streets and outside bars in the Keys. He also met David Allan Coe at a festival and, after the show, introduced himself as the boat captain and told him how much he enjoyed his music.

During the Mariel Boatlift of 1980, John risked his own life and used his shrimp boat to help Cuban refugees make their way to the United States. It was one of many times in his life when John was willing to take a risk, work hard, and do what he believed was right. John and Ed later worked together on oil and drilling rigs. Through their determination and hard work, they eventually earned the opportunity to be hired on by the company. Eventually, John and Ed settled in Thomas, Louisiana, living in a house without running water or electricity. It was there, through circumstances that would forever change the course of his life, that John met Kathy Knight. Kathy and a friend had gone to invite John and Ed to church and witness to them. At the time, John had no interest in church or the Lord. But Kathy knew there was something special about him. She believed he was the man she would one day marry, but she also knew she couldn't date him until he gave his life to Christ. Eventually, John began attending church with Kathy, and the Lord began working on his heart. One evening, while driving, John became so convicted that he pulled over and asked the Lord to forgive his sins and use him if He could. John was so excited about his new life in Christ that he drove to Riverside, where Kathy was working the night shift as an RN to tell her he had given his life to the Lord. In that moment, Kathy knew she had found the man she would marry. John and Kathy spent their courtship writing love letters to one another.

On September 24, 1983, John married the love of his life, Kathy Knight, at Bible Baptist Church. Together they built a life centered around their faith, their family, and their commitment to one another. John always said that if he ever had a daughter, he wanted to name her April Dawn because April was his favorite month and dawn was his favorite time of day. In January of 1986, that dream came true when his “Daddy's girl,” April Dawn, was born. In December of 1992, just three days before Christmas, John and Kathy welcomed their son, Nathan Lee, completing their family. John was a devoted husband and father. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family and even attended school to become an LPN. He traveled as an agency nurse and worked long nights and extra shifts so that he could support his family and allow Kathy to stay at home after Nathan was born. But some of John's most treasured memories were the simple ones. One of April's earliest memories was from a time when Kathy was working, and John kept April during the day. Whenever loud airplanes flew over their house, April would become frightened and run down the hallway with her hands in the air. John would meet her halfway, open his arms, and scoop her up because he knew she was scared. That was John. A man whose family knew they were safe in his arms.

John was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hunting, trapping, crabbing, and especially fishing. By all accounts, he was an exceptional fisherman, but he was happiest teaching his children to fish and going on fishing trips with his friends. He loved teaching anyone who wanted to learn, passing along his knowledge and passion for the water. Saltwater fishing held a particularly special place in his heart. Grand Isle, Louisiana, became the setting for countless family weekends and vacations. Fishing poles and tackle boxes were staples on nearly every trip the family took. He especially enjoyed hunting and fishing trips with his son Nathan and spending time on the water with his lifelong fishing buddies, Uncle Ed and Charles Bridges. He loved duck and dove hunting, but if you asked John what he loved most, the answer would almost certainly be fishing.

John was also a tremendous history buff and deeply proud of his Southern heritage. He was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and often expressed his pride with a saying: “American by birth, Southern by the grace of God.” Music was another great love of John's. He played guitar and sang, and some of his family's favorite memories were made around campfires, with friends gathered together while John played his guitar. He even made up silly songs that his children still remember. He loved playing and singing in church, and one of his favorite songs was I'll Fly Away.

Most of all, John loved Jesus. After giving his life to Christ more than 40 years ago, John spent the remainder of his life serving the Lord faithfully. He taught Sunday School, led Bible studies, participated in jail ministry, shared the Gospel with countless people, and occasionally preached. Whatever the Lord placed before him, John tried to follow faithfully. He was a faithful member of San Pedro Missionary Baptist Church that deeply loved his pastors and church family. He didn't simply talk about his faith—he lived it. He taught his children to love Jesus. He showed his daughter what a godly husband looked like by the way he loved and honored her mother. He showed his family what sacrifice, perseverance, loyalty, and faithfulness looked like.

John is survived by his beloved wife, Kathy Knight Stover, the love of his life; his children, April Dawn Warner and Nathan Stover, along with his son-in-law, Matthew; and his granddaughter, Addison Grace Warner, who was the light of his life. He is also survived by his sister, Jeanie Pyper, his brother, Tommy Stover, his sister Nancy Rock, and brother-in-law Charlie; his niece Sarah Jones and her husband, Braedon Jones; and his great-niece and great-nephew, Samantha Jones and Steven “Stevie” Jones and Bryson Knight and Alaina Barber. He also leaves behind his lifelong best friend and chosen brother, Edward “Uncle Ed” Cartier, whose friendship with John spanned decades, adventures, hardships, laughter, fishing trips, and a lifetime of memories

He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Virginia Stover; his brother-in-law, Tyrone Knight; his nephew, Christopher Knight; and his mother-in-law, Rebecca Thomas.

John was sent home with hospice on August 14, 2026. His family was given the precious gift of three more weeks with him—three weeks filled with love, memories, stories, prayers, and time together. On the Wednesday after he returned home, his San Pedro Church family came to the home and held a special church service with John, filling his home with worship, the Word, and fellowship.

On September 5, surrounded by his girls, his beloved wife Kathy, daughter April, and his granddaughter Addison, who was the light of his life, he went to his eternal home in Heaven. As he prepared to leave this world, April softly sang his favorite song, I'll Fly Away. And he did. After a lifetime of adventure, a lifetime of loving his family, and more than 40 years of faithfully serving his Savior, John finally went home. We imagine him walking through Heaven's gates, whole and free, reunited with those who went before him, and hearing the words he lived his life longing to hear: “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Until we meet again, Dad. We love you. “I’ll fly away, O glory… I’ll fly away.”

A memorial service celebrating the life of John Howard Stover will be held at Crain Funeral Home Saturday, September 12, 2026. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am followed by the memorial service at 11:00 am with Eld. Don Jacobs and Eld. Lavon Taylor officiating.