John “Jack” Carroll Stinson, former president of the Stuart-Mosby Historical Society, died on June 28, 2016; he was 85.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Dewey Lee and Bessie McDearman Stinson; brother, Dewey Lee Stinson Jr.; and son, John Carroll Stinson Jr.
Jack is survived by his wife, Betty Ann Stinson, two sons: Frederick Ashby Stinson and Donald Gilman; seven grandchildren: Laura, Patrick and Katie Gilman; Trey and Cole Dickerson; Ashton and Turner Stinson; and one great granddaughter, Savannah Dickerson.
Jack was born in Newport News, Va. on Sept. 16, 1930. He met his sweetheart, Betty Ann Wright, in high school. They were married in 1952 and enjoyed 63 years as “the love of each other’s lives.”
In 1953, Jack graduated from Randolph Macon College in Ashland, Va. He worked for Reynolds Metals Company immediately out of college and remained there for 39 years.
Jack had a passion for history, his library was full of books on “the war between the states” and he frequently visited historical memorials, reenactments, and battlefields. He was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Freemason Society, past president of the Stuart-Mosby Historical Society and past commander of The Military Order of the Stars and Bars.
He and Betty Ann loved horses and taught their sons to ride at an early age. In 1995, Jack and Betty Ann moved to Midlothian to be closer to family; they were both members of Bethel Baptist Church. Jack was very handy, his grandchildren always said, “Papa can fix anything.”
The funeral service was held at Bethel Baptist Church, Midlothian, Va. on July 1. Graveside service will be held at Dale Memorial Park on July 6 at 11 a.m.