Dr. John Miller Stinnett

John Miller Stinnett 1930 – 2015 Dr. John M. Stinnett passed away peacefully on September 5, 2015, at the age of 84, after a short illness. He was born September 28, 1930, in Gatesville, Texas, to Lee Miller and Genevieve Stinnett. During childhood he was well known for his mischievous behavior. He would also go barefoot whenever possible, which occasionally led to his being mistaken for a child from a poverty stricken family, while in reality his family was relatively well-off. John graduated from Gatesville High School in 1948 and began college at the University of Texas in Austin, where he met his future wife, Peggy Louise Fisher, in biology class. He later transferred to Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and then went on to Baylor Dental School in Dallas, graduating in 1955. Afterward graduation, he proudly served in the U.S. Air Force as a dentist for two years. While attending dental school in Dallas, he was fortuitously reconnected with Peggy in 1953, and she was truly the love of his life. The couple was married in Dallas on June 26, 1954, and had 61 wonderful years together before Peggy’s passing on July 14, 2015. Peggy and John’s son Reid was born in 1958 and their daughter Gena in 1965. John established his private dental practice in Dallas in 1957 and continued to work there until late 1972, when he moved to what was then the Panama Canal Zone in Central America. The family joined him in February 1973 and had many wonderful adventures in Panama and often reminisced fondly of their time there. John was an excellent general dentist and could do literally anything related to teeth, but during his time in Panama, he focused primarily on orthodontics and gave dozens of people wonderful smiles, which they enjoy to this day, and remind us (Reid and Gena) of quite often. John and Peggy moved back to the United States in 1983, settling in Huntsville, Texas. John continued to practice dentistry with the Texas Department of Corrections until his retirement in 2002. But he did not retire! He opened a part-time private practice in Lovelady, Texas, where he worked until shortly before his death. He truly loved dentistry and spent much of his spare time poring over dental journals, making notes and underlining, as any good student would do. He was a lifelong learner, teaching himself to use a computer with a good deal of proficiency, and during the past few months enjoyed getting to know the intricacies of his smart phone. John had two major hobbies – flying and fishing. After earning his pilot’s license in the early 1960’s, he owned a part-interest in an airplane in Dallas and later two other airplanes in Panama. The family enjoyed many adventures all over the United States and Central and South America as a result. Fishing was his #1 hobby, and he was active on the Bass Masters Fishing Tournament circuit until a few years ago. Despite most of the entrants being less than half his age, he did extremely well in the competitions, placing among the top amateurs several times. John had many longtime and lifelong friends and enjoyed catching up with them periodically on the telephone. He enjoyed dancing, traveling, following politics, and watching football, especially the Baylor Bears and the Dallas Cowboys. He was especially excited and gratified by the resurgence of the Baylor football team over the past few years. John was very strong in his Christian faith, reading his bible and other religious books and magazines on a daily basis, and was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church of Huntsville. The family is comforted knowing that he is at peace and is reunited with Peggy, and dancing again with her in heaven. Preceded in death by beloved wife Peggy, John is survived by his sister Gene Wandel, his son Reid, his wife Sarah and their children, Graham and Paige; daughter Gena Lloyd and her husband James and their children, Jessica and Berik; along with several cousins and their extended families. Visitation is scheduled for Friday, September 11, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home, 1700 Normal Park Drive in Huntsville, Texas. A life celebration will be held on Saturday, September 12, at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 1016 Sam Houston Avenue in Huntsville. Burial will be on Saturday, September 19 at 9:30 a.m. at the Gatesville City Cemetery, Gatesville, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a memorial contribution to the charity of your choice. Full obituary may be viewed and memorial condolences made to the family at www.shmhf.com.

Dr. John Miller Stinnett

September 28, 1930 - September 5, 2015