James Winston Stover, 84 of Star City passed away Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at Jefferson regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff. He was born April 29, 1940 in Yorktown, AR to the late Winston Stover and Mildred Cook Stover Blasengame.

At the age of 7 James became very ill with spinal meningitis. Due to his illness, he became deaf. His family lived in Star City and James attended the Arkansas School for the Deaf in Little Rock. After graduating he went on to Gallaudet University in Washington, DC, graduating in 1964. He went on to marry Jacalyn “Jackie” Sloan the same day they both graduated from Gallaudet. As a family they enjoyed camping outings, hiking, fishing and traveling. He also liked to hunt. His favorite hobby was to bowl with the deaf leagues and also the hearing too.

James worked at Ft. Meade, MD and at Walter Reed Hospital as a cytologist, retiring in 1999 after 34 years. In his free time, he taught sign language, not only to the deaf but the hearing alike, at the local Community College in Maryland. He also volunteered his time as President of the Deaf Club in Washington, DC and he also done a lot of “Jack of All Trades” duties.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Jacalyn “Jackie” Sloan Stover; two brothers, Oscar “Bobo” Hunsaker and Wayne Hunsaker; and three sisters, Sally McWhorter, Martha Russworm, and Ardath Edmonds.

Together James and Jackie had two hearing sons, Raymond Winston Stover and David Roy Stover (Greta). Also left to cherish his memories are three grandchildren, Krista Russ, Samantha Keene and Bobby Stover; many great-grandchildren; one brother, Ronnie Blasengame; sister, Brenda Burnett of Malvern; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are 3:00PM Saturday, November 30, 2024 at Griffin Funeral Service Chapel in Star City with Bro. Thomas McGriff officiating. Visitation is 1:30-3:00PM Saturday at the funeral home. Burial at Oak Grove Cemetery in Yorktown.

Arrangements by Griffin Funeral Service in Star City. Online guestbook at www.griffinfuneralservice.net.