Lawrence Wayne Stover Sr.

Aug. 30, 1922 - March 15, 2010

Wayne was born in Duncan, Okla., to Guy and Pauline Funk Stover on Aug. 30, 1922.

In his high school years, he and his family moved to Abilene, Texas, where he graduated from Abilene High School. His college education began at Cameron Junior College in Lawton, Okla. He transferred to Oregon State College, where he continued his studies in mechanical engineering. His college career was interrupted when he was drafted into the U.S. Army.

He married Ramona in 1944 before deploying to the World War II European Theater with the 71st Division of "Patton's Army." Following the war, he returned to OSC, graduating in 1948 with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering. Wayne and Ramona moved to the East Coast, where Wayne was employed as a design engineer in the appliance division of General Electric.

Wayne and Ramona returned to Corvallis in 1949, where Wayne began his work with home appliances, establishing his own business in 1951; it became what has long been known as Stover, Evey and Jackson, Inc.

Wayne was an active participant in the life of Corvallis, including active leadership and engagement in the Fairplay School Board; Boy Scouting; 4-H electrical programs; community and low-income housing concerns; the FISH Guest House; the Victims and Offenders Reconciliation Program; volunteer counseling for the Oregon State Penitentiary Lifers program; the United Nations Association; the Great Decisions study program; the Corvallis City Council; and the Majestic Theater Board.

He was also an active member of First Presbyterian Church, serving as a teacher, ruling elder and trustee in the local congregation. He was also chair of the Santiam Lodge Commission and the Care and Oversight Division of the Willamette Presbytery.

A favorite hobby with Wayne was baking. He was featured in a Corvallis Gazette-Times "What Corvallis Cooks" article on his favorite treat, Sweetheart Rolls. In his retirement, he greatly enjoyed the tennis that had been a part of his earlier life in Oklahoma and Texas.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Ramona; three sons and spouses, Larry (Karen), Tim (Julie) and Mark (Stacey); and six grandchildren.

He died in the early morning of March 15 at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.

A celebration of Wayne's life is scheduled for 2 p.m. March 27 at First Presbyterian Church in Corvallis. Those wishing to honor Wayne can make gifts in his name to the Benton County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity.