Smokey Stover

Smokey (Jeffrey Lee) Stover, 71, of Cleveland, TX. passed away the morning of December 14, 2017 after a brief illness. Our Smokey was a beloved son, brother, father, Paw Paw and treasured friend to everyone he met. Born in Iowa, the Stover family moved to California where Smokey graduated high school and joined the United States Air Force. Upon completion of his time in the service, Smokey and his family moved to Texas where they finally put down roots and Smokey started a family of his own. It was his beloved father who started the tire shop that Smokey would dedicate his life's work to here in Cleveland, and it was this small family business along with his continued involvement in his church and with his neighbors that allowed Smokey to become a familiar ad much loved friend within our community. Whether it was at Smokey's Tire and Brake, United Methodist or numerous community and youth events, Smokey could be found with a smile on his face and a generous hand to lend. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and cultivated so many lasting relationships with those who shared his enthusiasm for the outdoors. He cared about those he met and loved deeply those he knew. When Smokey passed his business on to this son Jerry in 2010 and left full time work, he channeled the energy and passion he had put into his career, into being the caring and involved Paw Paw to the growing number of families he had come to know and love over his many years. He will be profoundly missed today, but celebrated with joy for the irreplaceable moments he created in our lives, and the tender and cherished memories he has left in our hearts.

Smokey was preceded in death by his parents, Max and Frances Halien (Tisue) Stover, along with his much loved brother-in-law, John Wiegand and dear friend, Sam Fullbright. He is survived by his daughter, Cindy May and husband Ronnie Dale May; sons, Jerry Lee Stover and wife Stephanie, and Pete Stover; sister, Margo Wiegand; grandchildren, Dillon Dowdell, Wesley May, Waylon May, Ashley Stover, Max Stover, Elisabeth Stover, Joe Stover and Jeffery Stover; niece, Deborah Yount and husband Pat, and their children, Hannah and Taylor; cherished godson, Sean Georgiou and family; and numerous treasured relatives and friends including Mike Simms and family, Crazy Bill Motl, Jeff Collins, Eddie Burke, Walt Pleasant, Ray Harringer, "Bear" L.J. Novosad, Eddie Smith and LeRoy Sanford.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, December 16, 2017 at Pace Stancil Chapel, Cleveland, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that donations be made to Tractor Backers Go Fund Me page in support of Smokey's grandson's ongoing battle with childhood cancer. https://www.gofundme.com/tractor-backers