James Allen Stovall

James Allen Stovall, 79, died Sunday, November 3, 2013 at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, Texas. James was born January 18, 1934 in Dallas, Texas to Jesse James Stovall and Fannie Gaston Stovall, both deceased. James graduated in 1951 from Crozier Technical High School in Dallas, where he studied printing, was a member of National Honor Society and the All State Choir. In high school he was a member of Circle K Club (a Kiwanis organization). He also won the Linz award for art. He began printing at age 13, and worked full-time as a printer and a linotype operator for the Ferris, TX, newspaper. He then moved to Abilene in 1952 to attend ACU (then ACC), where he received a B.A. in 1957 and a M.Ed. in 1962 from Abilene Christian University. He also attended Hardin-Simmons University for additional certification in special education, and Cisco Junior College for a real estate license. While in college he was a member of the Key Club (a Kiwanis organization). He also worked his way through college as a full-time printer for Christian Chronicle and Quality Printing Co. as a linotype operator while attending classes. After he started teaching in 1958, he continued working as a printer part time and later owned his own printing shop until 1992. Shortly after coming to ACU he met an Abilene girl, Flosi Jane Williams, whom he married in 1955. They remained best friends until James’ death, a total of 58 years. James was employed by Abilene Independent School District for 42 years and retired in 2000. From 1958 to 1967 he was a teacher at Dyess Elementary School, and from 1967 to 1973 was vocational coordinator for both high schools. From 1973 to 2000 he was principal at Alta Vista, Fair Park and Crockett Elementary Schools. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, an educational organization, and was a member of the Texas Vocational Coordinators Association. He was also a member of Texas Elementary Principals Association and National Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association. James co-authored a science teacher’s manual for Abilene ISD, and wrote a vocational handbook for employers for ASID. He was also author of 12 Sunday school books and 12 teacher’s manuals, and 4 vacation Bible school books and 4 vacation Bible school teacher’s manuals for Quality Printing Co. After retirement, James was employed by Abilene Christian Schools for 2 years where he taught high school physics, Bible and elementary computer. He was a faithful member of the Westgate Church of Christ which he helped organize in 1962, and he became one of the first elders of the church in 1968. He continued to serve in that capacity until 2009 when he resigned due to health reasons. He loved the Lord and His church. James was a song leader for the Saner Ave Church of Christ in Dallas beginning at age 16 where he worshipped during his childhood and school years. After moving to Abilene, he attended various congregations of the Church of Christ, and finally after the Westgate church was established, he was their song leader until about 1990 when his son, Steve, took over the work. He also taught adult Bible classes there for about 38 years. In August, 2009, he was stricken by a bleeding near the brain stem from which he only partially recovered. The results were similar to a stroke, and affected his speech, ability to walk, and use of his left hand. After his partial recovery, he wrote a book entitled “A Beginner’s Guide to Building a Model Railroad”, using only his right hand on the computer. Model railroading and woodworking were two of his favorite past times. During his college industrial arts class, he built a bedroom suite of solid oak. In 1990 he constructed a building in his backyard, and then built a model railroad in it. Before his brain hemorrhage he enjoyed working in his woodworking shop in his garage, and running model trains. An Abilene street is named in his honor, James Court in Stovall Estates. Survivors include his wife, Flosi Jane Stovall; one daughter and son-in-law, Sharla Jo and Kenneth VanCleave; one son and daughter-in-law, Steven Bryant and Juanita Stovall; four grandchildren, Steven Vincent VanCleave and wife Sharon of Chattanooga, TN, Laci Jo VanCleave Hall and husband Fletcher Hall, IV of Lubbock, TX, and Staci Stovall and Stefani Stovall, both of Abilene; two great-grandsons, Bryant Hall and Brayden Hall of Lubbock; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Mr. Ed and Mrs. Uvonne Dewberry of Fort Worth, TX, and Mr. Jerry and Mrs. Norma Sue Ratliff of Lyndale, TX; and several nieces and nephews including Michael and Crystal Steele of Jackson, TN and Scott and Carrie Hunnicutt of Aledo, TX. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 6, at Westgate Church of Christ in Abilene with Dr. Rodney Ashlock and Dr. B.J. McMichael officiating. Interment will follow in Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories Cemetery in the Garden of Hope directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 5, at the funeral home. Memorials may be sent to Westgate Church of Christ, 402 S. Pioneer Dr., Abilene, TX 79605, and West Texas Rehabilitation Center, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605.