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In Memory Of Our Poets

John Walter Stowers, Jr. (1949-2016) - Class Of 1967

John Walter Stowers, Jr., "Sto", 67, a longtime resident of Montgomery, AL, died peacefully Saturday, July 9, 2016 in Asheville, NC, following a brief illness. Funeral services will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension on Wednesday, July 13 at 2:30 p.m. with Reverend Andrew Thayer officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held in Ascension Hall prior to the service from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Spann Stowers, and his father, John Walter Stowers, Sr. He is survived by his wife, Jennie McConnell Stowers, his sister, Mary Stowers Dunn, and her husband Johnny F. Dunn, and his nephew, John Walter Stowers Dunn, and his wife Taylor Dunn. He also leaves behind his wife's family, Jane and Forrest McConnell, Jr., Pat and John Moorehouse, Jennifer and Forrest McConnell III, Heather and William McConnell, Sara Moorehouse, Laura Kate Frazier and husband Wesley, Caroline Moorehouse, Forrest McConnell IV, Andrew McConnell, Sellers McConnell, and Mary Jane McConnell.

John was born in Dothan, Alabama and moved to Montgomery as a young child. After graduation from Sidney Lanier High School, he attended and graduated from the University of Alabama where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity.

For 45 years he was in the real estate development and apartment management business in Montgomery. He served as past President of the Montgomery Therapeutic Center, past President of the Montgomery Apartment Association, past Chairman of the YMCA Boys' Work Committee, a member of the Montgomery Kiwanis Club, a member of the Alabama Real Estate Association, Board Member of the Bartram Trail Society, as well as a wonderful volunteer for the Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuaries, Highlands Biological Foundation, and Alabama Ornithological Society. John was also a member of the Montgomery Country Club and Highlands Country Club.

Sto shared his energy and enthusiasm with countless friends and strangers. His love of nature and the outdoors, his vast knowledge of trees, flowers, birds, waterways, coastlines, and trails, and his generosity in sustaining the environment and its inhabitants will be gratefully remembered.

An explorer and adventurer, Sto was fun to be around. His beloved cocker spaniels knew and loved this spirit, and were always at his side to share the next experience with him.

Sto's greatest joy was doing for others, particularly those less fortunate than he was. When birding, hiking, running, cycling, kayaking, fishing or in any other of his many activities, he shepherded those who were with him to make sure they had the fullest experience possible.

Sto loved to introduce friends of all ages to new pursuits and made a difference in the lives of many young people, including family, friends, and youth at Montgomery Therapeutic Center, where he volunteered as a swim instructor in years past. He was a free spirit filled with the joy of life which he generously shared with all whose lives he touched.

Pall bearers will be Woody Bagwell, George Cunningham, Robert Day, Sam Dixon, Stuart Frazer, Dave Humphreville, Bill Jordan, Gwaltney McCollum, Harris McGough, and Tabor Novak.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Highlands Biological Foundation, P.O. Box 580, Highlands, N.C. 28741, the Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuaries, P.O. Box 1295, Dauphin Island, AL 36528, the Montgomery Therapeutic Center, 604 Augusta Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36111, or the charity of your choice .

Published in the Montgomery Advertiser from July 12 to July 13, 2016.