John Warren Stanhope

John Warren Stanhope of Orwell, Vermont and formerly Alpharetta Georgia passed away peacefully on September 1, 2025 in Whitehall, Michigan at the age of 90. A deeply devoted family man, John was born on July 1, 1935 in Quincy MA to Clifford Tebbit Stanhope and Agnes Martin (Fraser) Stanhope. He married Anne Lynn Carpenter on December 17, 1960.

Born to an Iowa farm boy and Scottish immigrant, John grew up in Ridgewood, NJ where he played football, piano and accordion. In 1956, after serving in the U.S. Army in peacetime Germany, he enrolled at Lafayette College earning a Bachelor of Civil Engineering. He was a proud member of the Alpha-Omega Chapter of the Theta Chi fraternity on campus, and even served a stint as the Lafayette Leopard mascot on the sidelines of the football stadium. Later, he earned a Master of Civil Engineering from Villanova University and was a member of the Georgia Society of Professional Engineers. John was active in the choir and with the youth group at Thompson Memorial Presbyterian church in New Hope, PA where he LOVED performing in their yearly musicals. After moving to Alpharetta, GA in 1977, John became active in the Alpharetta United Methodist Church where he was in the choir for 38 years and a member of the men's club and bible study. Upon retirement to the family property in Vermont with Anne and their dogs, he became active in the Middlebury College Community Choir. John was known for always having multiple dogs and cats that he adored and could be found walking them on their Orwell, VT property and down the back roads near their home.

For nearly 40 years, the family enjoyed their country property near Alpharetta, Georgia, caring for numerous horses, dogs, cats, chickens, pigs and cows throughout the years. The family made frequent trips to the Northeast and New England to remain connected with extended family. He enjoyed conversation, reading, WWII history, the railway system, jazz music and working outdoors nearly full time until the age of 80. He is often described as one of the most kind and generous men to ever walk this earth and he and his signature red Jeep Cherokee will be missed for all those who knew him. He also made certain his girls always had a tire pressure gauge in their vehicles and fresh oil.

In 2015, after more than 25 years self employed as a registered Professional Engineer, he and Anne retired to Orwell, Vermont, where he found joy in his dogs, peaceful surroundings, simpler lifestyle and endless gravel roads with grand views. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Anne, sister Nancy Hume, of Orrington, ME, daughters, Stacey (Chris) Dundon of Orwell, VT and Stephanie (Andy) Purvis of New Era, MI, grandchildren Lindsay (Scott) Kriss, Maxwell (Sydney) Purvis and Ian (Azure) Purvis, numerous nephews and nieces, and countless friends across the country and the world. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Jean Conklin. He also stepped into the role of surrogate father, as needed, for his niece Jennifer (Wayne) Lobley of Marshfield, ME and Rob (Kristie) Hume of Fairfax, VA after their father passed and others in need, including children and adults from the Atlanta Women's Shelter.

Planning for a Celebration of Life is underway but the event will not be immediate. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for consideration for the charity of your choice or to Brandon United Methodist Church, Orwell Congregational Church or Homeward Bound Animal Rescue in Middlebury, VT.

Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is assisting with arrangements.

www.harrisfhome.com