April 6, 1925 - December 3, 2013 Dr. Gerald Leonard Stovall M.D. passed away peacefully at home December 3, 2013. The patriarch of the pioneer Stovall family, he was attended to by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in his last days and his children were at his side when he transitioned. Gerald was born in Los Angeles in 1925. His father Dr. Leonard Stovall, who arrived in Los Angeles from Atlanta around 1895, was the first African-American graduate of USC Medical School and the first African-American physician on staff at General Hospital. His mother Yolande moved to Los Angeles from Denver around the turn of the century and became a schoolteacher and erudite world traveller. Gerald graduated from Los Angeles High School and took a degree at UCLA. He served in India during WWII, then returned to marry his high school sweetheart, the lovely Pauline Jones. Gerald and Pauline had first a daughter Pamela, then a son Steven. After the latter was born, Gerald went to Washington D.C. to attend Howard University Medical School. He was soon joined by his family, and Pauline worked as the secretary of the Dean of Howard University while Gerald pursued his studies. He took his M.D. at Howard in 1957 and returned to Los Angeles with his family. He had a general practice out of two offices in South Los Angeles for many years, and was on staff at County General and later the Hubert Humphrey Clinic. Gerald was preceded in death by his younger sister Yolande, who was also a physician. His heart was broken by the passing in 2002 of his beloved wife of 55 years Pauline, herself a schoolteacher and principal. Gerald is survived by children Pamela and Steven, grandchildren Khalief, Amorette, Kenji, Isa, Amran, and Ashley, and a host of great-grandchildren. He was a gregarious, generous man known for his kindness, charity, and good humor. He had many friends, including the large contingent of fellow Howard alumni that formed the core of the South Los Angeles professional community during the 1960's. He was a 40-year member emeritus of the Xi Boule of Sigma Pi Phi and belonged to the Guardsmen. He grew up with jazz legends Eric Dolphy, Dexter Gordon, and Charles Mingus, and always loved the music, compiling an archive of recordings that spanned the history of jazz. Gerald ran track at L.A. High and always regarded track and field as the purest of all sports, and would travel to track meets all over the west, but he also loved basketball and was an avid follower of the Lakers and UCLA Bruins. He was a great fan of motion pictures, particularly films with African-American themes and casts, and continued to collect VHS tapes and DVDs until the end of his life. He was also a great lover of art, and had an extensive collection of paintings, drawings, and lithographs. Gerald lived a long, full, virtuous life and was loved by many. His memory will be with us always. Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, December 14 at Angelus Funeral Home.
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4 Entries
Our deepest regrets, may God bless the family. He was a wonderful family friend and family physician.
From the family of the late John A. Jackson, former Executive Director of the Stovall Foundation--Ella P. Jackson,Jeanie Jackson-Thompson, Douglas and David Jackson,and Martha P. Hamiter.
December 12, 2013
Bless your hearts, Pam and Steven. Our family holds yours in prayer and light. Peace,
Venela and Valdez Flagg
December 10, 2013
Dr. Stovall was a great man and his memories will stay forever in the hearts of so many who loved him. You all demonstrated that love with the way you took care of him during his illness. May his soul rest in peace.
Sandra Bell
December 9, 2013
My dear sweet Papa...I still can't believe you're gone, but I know your spirit is so overjoyed to finally be reunited with Nana. I love you, Papa, and I thank God for giving me so much time with the best grandfather ever. Until we meet again.
Your loving granddaughter,
Khalief
Khalief Dantzler
December 8, 2013
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