Dr. John Stoner died on May 27, 2023 at Park Pointe Village, Rock Hill, SC. He was 90 years of age.
Dr. Stoner was born in Lake Township, E. Toledo, OH, one of six children of Jesse M. Stoner and Myrtle L. (Freed) Stoner. His parents, sister, Jesselyn L. Rowland, and brothers, Dean G. Stoner and William H. Stoner, and brothers-in-law, Richard Rowland and Fred Brown predeceased him. Dr. Stoner is survived by his devoted wife, Margery (Marge) K. Stoner with whom he shared 69 years of a wonderful life; his sons, Thomas J. Stoner (Janis) of Jackson, WY and David A. Stoner (Angie) of Charlotte, NC; step-grandchildren, Fallon (Matt) Ryan and Mathieu Fry, and step-great-granddaughter, Madison Ryan all of Idaho; sisters, Marilyn Brown and Kathleen (Robert) Purney and sisters-in-law, Nancy Stoner and Margaret Stoner. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was educated in the Lake Township school system where he participated in all of the high school varsity athletic programs graduating in 1951. He was president of the junior and senior classes. John enrolled in the pre-veterinary program at the University of Toledo. He entered the US Army in 1953 and was assigned to the Medical Corps. He was trained as a surgical technician.
Following the completion of his training and during a reassignment from California to the southeast he and Marge married. John received his final assignment to work in the hospital at Fort Bragg, NC where Marge was able to join him. John was Ward Master of the Delivery Room and Marge was employed by the hospital to use her nursing skills in the infant Nursery. John attained the rank of Sergeant before his discharge in 1955.
Upon his discharge, he and Marge returned to Ohio where he enrolled at The Ohio State University to complete his pre-veterinary studies and then enrolled in the College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated with the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1960. To help pay for his education, Marge was able to work as a nurse in a hospital in Columbus; the same hospital in which both of their sons were born while John was in school. Dr. Stoner’s professional career of 38 years was spent in the animal health pharmaceutical/biological industry. His expertise was involved in many aspects of developing new and unique drugs and vaccines for all the major animal species. He also served as the company liaison to FDA, EPA and USDA for several years. His final assignment was directing the Commercial Development Department of Solvay Animal Health responsible for licensing and acquisition. He then spent three years as a consultant. In his early years they lived in New Jersey where he was employed by four different major companies. In his last 11 years of employment and for 11 years of retirement they lived in Minnesota.
In 2011 they decided it was time to be near family and they moved to Park Pointe Village in Rock Hill, SC. While employed John and Marge were able to take many trips together as John conducted his business responsibilities. During retirement, Marge and John were able to travel extensively taking national and international trips and cruises.
Professional activities included serving as a president of the Northwest New Jersey Veterinary Society; Director of the American Association of Industry Veterinarians; exhibits coordinator for the annual meetings of the New Jersey Veterinary medical Association; served on and chaired a number of Task Forces and Committees of the Animal Health Institute. Dr. Stoner was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics and received a Distinguished Alumnus Award from The College of Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University for his many contributions to the Veterinary profession. He was also listed in Who’s Who in The East; Who’s Who in Finance; Who’s Who in Animal Health and in American Men and Women of Science.
A memorial service will be held at Park Pointe Village in Rock Hill, SC on Sunday, June 11, 2023 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers please provide memorials to the Samaritan Fund at Park Pointe Village, 3025 Chesbrough Blvd. Rock Hill, SC 29732 or the charity of one’s choice.
