John ‘Jack’ Stoudt

MORRISON – Jack Stoudt, longtime resident of Morrison, passed away late in the evening of his 84th birthday, Sunday, July 2, 2017, at Seven Lakes Memory Care in Loveland, Colorado. He died from complications of lewybody dementia.

John George Stoudt was born July 2, 1933, in Erie, to Paul and Ethelyn Miller Stoudt. He spent his early years in Erie, surrounded by many extended family members. He went to Erie schools, Class of 1951, participating in singing, and football, basketball and track, and developing lifelong friends. After his sophomore year of college, he joined the Army and was sent to Fort Ord, California. He became a drill sergeant, and seeing others use humor in their teaching prompted him to consider the teaching profession. After completing his bachelor’s degree at Northeast Missouri State Teachers College in Kirksville, Missouri, he taught math and physics from 1959 to 1966 at Morrison High School. He loved teaching, and during that time built a student run F.M. radio station in the high school. In 1966, he became a consultant and manager for the Illinois State Board of Education. He worked for them until 1991. He received his Master’s degree in Education from Georgia State. Later, he worked for Illinois Regional Offices of Education in Sterling, Annawan, and Rock Island.

Jack married Penelope “Penny” Rosalie Hill on March 23, 1957, at 2 o’clock, at United Methodist Church in Centerville, Iowa. They raised three children, Elizabeth, Jenny, and David. The family enjoyed many road trips, visiting wonderful places in the U.S. He documented family life with a myriad of slides, and the slides provoked much laughter over the years. He enjoyed family get-togethers, especially times with the grandkids.

Jack was a lifelong learner, and loved participating in civic groups. His activities and interests included ham radio – he made Century Club three times; Ham Radio Club president; jazz music; being a radio announcer for jazz shows in Kirksville, Missouri, and at station KROS in Clinton, Iowa; softball, basketball, computers, community theater, city council; Friends of the Park – he helped start the bike path to Rockwood; president of the Boosters; served on juries; VFW; birding; and German. He taught himself how to sail. He, Penny, and David were in sailboat races on the Mississippi. He took up biking later in life, winning first place at age 70 for the 65-plus age category for a 50-mile ride. He and Penny traveled abroad twice and enjoyed trips within the continental U.S.

He is greatly loved by his family. We will miss his sly humor, intellect, and kind and gentle soul. We appreciate his many years of hard work to provide for our family.

Jack is survived by his wife of 60 years, Penny of Morrison; three children, Elizabeth (Paul) LoBello and Jen Stoudt, both of Loveland, Colorado, and David John Stoudt of Boulder, Colorado; four grandchildren in whom he delighted and adored, Brianna LoBello, Dominic LoBello, Violet Stoudt, and Lila Grayce Stoudt; forever daughter-in-law, Heather Carr (Stoudt) of Boulder, Colorado; his loving sister, Gloria (Jim) Coryn of Moline; his nieces and nephews, Debbie (Jeff) Schuett, Lynn Reeh, Mike Foley, and John Foley; his supportive brother-in-law and wife, Dr. Thomas (Paula Rehahn) Hill of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and his aunt, Maxine Miller Bennett.

In his own words:

“I recall thoughts, as a teenager, about what a life should be about. I couldn’t then or now put it into words – but it might be as simple as this. To have my wife say I was a really good and loving husband, my kids to say I was a really good father, my grandchildren to say I was a really good grandpa, my students to say I was a really good teacher, my many colleagues to say I was creative and a good leader, and my other friends to say I was a really good guy. I tried to be that.”

He succeeded!!

Jack’s desire was to donate his body to science. A local memorial service, celebration of his life will be in Morrison at a date to be determined.