Dr. James Lloyd Stoner
Dr. James Lloyd Stoner, a Christian minister and ecumenical leader, died Monday, December 24, 2007, following complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
… Dr. James Lloyd Stoner, a Christian minister and ecumenical leader, died Monday, December 24, 2007, following complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
Known as a national leader in the ecumenical movement, one of five Founding Members of The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a Rotarian leader and well-known administrator for the National Council of Churches and the Foundation for Christian Living (now known as The Peale Center), he was best known in the Austin, Texas, area as the former Pastor of the Central Christian Church in Austin.
Dr. Stoner was born April 23, 1920 in Point Marion, Pa., a son of Martin “Mart” Stoner and Bess Hare Stoner. They were former residents of Ontario Street in Point Marion, and he was a 1937 graduate of Point Marion High School.
He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Bethany College (Bethany, WV) in 1941, a Bachelor of Divinity and Masters of Arts degree from Yale University Divinity School in 1944, and an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Bethany College in 1956. He was ordained in the 1942 as a Minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
On August 28, 1943, Jim married Janice Evans. As a “tireless couple for God”, they have been married for 64 years.
In his extended career of ministry, Dr. Stoner served with the YMCA at the University of Texas, and organized the first interdenominational student program of its kind on a college campus at Bowling Green University at Bowling Green, Ohio. This was so successful that he became at age 27 the National Director of the University Christian Mission, reaching college and university students all over the United States.
Dr. Stone was the first minister of the North Christian Church, Columbus, Indiana. Under his leadership was built the North Christian Church, designed by Finnish architect Eero Saarinen, who also designed the St. Louis Arch.
Following this, he accepted the position of Assistant General Secretary for the Executive Operations with the National Council of Churches in New York City.
In 1972, he assumed the responsibility of Senior Minister at Central Christian Church in Austin, Texas, where he was also active in many community affairs.
Dr. Stone was called in 1980 to work with Dr. Norman Vincent Peale in Pawling, New York, where he served as Executive Director of the Foundation for Christian Living, now called The Peale Center. He and his wife, Janice, traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe, leading several pilgrimages to the Holy Land.
He also served on committees of the American Bible Society with Billy Graham.
Dr. Stoner’s sermons and motivational speeches were positive in tone, practical and insightful. He was the author of a devotional book titled “Down-to-Earth Meditations That Will Give You a Lift”.
In his retirement Dr. Stoner became District Governor of Rotary for Central Texas, served on the Advisory Board for the First Commercial Bank of Lakeway, Texas, and remained active in local charitable and ecumenical organizations.
He is a life-time member of the Council on Christian Unity.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Mabel M. Stoner, and a brother, Charles R. Stoner.
Throughout his career, he always remembered with great fondness his time and ties to the Point Marion area and returned to the area as he was able.
Surviving are his wife, Janice; their three sons: Thomas, James and Geoffrey; seven grandchildren: Tristan, Morgan, Holden, Zoe, James, Erin and Leslie; and one great-grandson, Cayden.
Memorial Services were held in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, December 29, 2007.
Obituary information was provided by the RICHARD R. HEROD FUNERAL HOME, Point Marion, Pa.