After spending Christmas with his family, Ronald C. Stover died on December 30, 2019 and joined his wife Nancy, their infant son, and his parents in Heaven. He exited this world surrounded by his family in Virginia Beach and left behind the faith he instilled in them as they prayed and sang “The Old Rugged Cross.” He leaves behind a loving family including daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren and sisters.
Ronald was born in Weirwood, West Virginia (Pax area) to Jerry Alfred and Iris Yvonne Stover on May 31, 1943. While still a toddler, he recovered from Polio and modeled that determination throughout the rest of his life. As a boy, Ron was very curious, humorous, adventurous, smart, and mischievous at times. He was the eldest child in a family with four siblings including sisters Diana, Linda, and Debra.
On August 4, 1961, Ron wed his high school sweetheart, Nancy Sue Riser, in Oak Hill, West Virginia. Together they were married for 55 years and settled in the Chesapeake, Virginia area to raise their family. After losing their infant son, Ronald Calvin Stover, Jr., shortly after birth, they went on to complete their family with three daughters named Rebecca Ann, Teresa Lynn, and Donna Kay. Ron and Nancy, known as PawPaw and MawMaw, welcomed 5 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. They retired in their home state of West Virginia among the mountains Ron loved. They were buried together on January 14, 2020 at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, Virginia.
Ronald inherited his life-long love of learning from his mother and his handiness from his father. This led to a variety of careers and service during his lifetime. He served in the Army from 1962 to 1965 and was stationed in Germany. Ron worked as a civil servant on nuclear submarines at Naval Station Norfolk. He worked in the coal mines of West Virginia. He was an ordained minister who could preach the Bible front to back. Ron was an accomplished electrician at Virginia Power. He served Chesapeake Energy Center as Union Steward, part of the Fire and Rescue team, and Safety Committee. He also worked at Surry Nuclear Plant, Virginia Power Travel Crew, Chesapeake Energy Center, and retired from Virginia Power. He was a firefighter and rescue worker, EMT on the City of Chesapeake Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad. Ron was a jack-of-all-trades including mechanics, gardening and welding.
Ron will be remembered for having unconditional love for his family and loving God. He always had a smile on his face, a song in his heart and a joke to tell. He taught many lessons to the people lucky enough to know him. He passed on his love of the outdoors and the beach. He would always help and advocate for the underdog and less fortunate. He taught his children to ride bikes, use a wrench, swing a hammer, pull electric wires, change a tire and practice volleyball. He encouraged them in their education to help other people as teachers, nurses, personal caregivers and most importantly mothers.
Ronald is survived by daughter Becky Stover Ferguson, son-in-law Stuart Ferguson, granddaughter Melissa and husband Brandon; daughter Teresa Stover Gosling, granddaughter Ashley and significant other Travis, great grandchildren Jeremiah, Robbie, Brianna, Thomas and Nate, grandson Joshua and husband Grant; daughter Donna Stover Carrington, granddaughter Amber, great granddaughter Grace, granddaughter Jessica; sisters Diana and Marlin Anthony, Linda and Paul Hart, Debbie Stover; and countless other loving relatives including nieces, nephews, aunts, in-laws and cousins.