In Memory

Donald Ardis Stoner - Class Of 1945

Donald Ardis Stoner

Donald Ardis Stoner, resident of Saratoga since 1964, (January 12, 1928 - March 9, 2012).  This exceptional native Californian, graduated from Wheaton College in 1949, served as an Air Force Sabre jet pilot and began his long career as an educator teaching junior high in Pomona, California.  With an MS degree from Arizona State, he taught at Citrus College, Glendora, California.  Hired as one of the founding faculty members at West Valley Community College, Don moved his family north in 1964.  Over the next 28 years he taught over 6,000 students in the biological sciences, and served as co-founder of the Park Management Program.

Always passionate about his hobbies, Don remained active until the end, despite the debilitating effects of cancer.  He was an active member in Saratoga Federated Church and Saratoga Community Band, participating in choir, bell choir, and orchestra, either playing trombone or baritone horn.  In 2008 Don achieved a lifetime goal, running 25,000 miles, the distance around the world, and more than 1,000 miles since.  He loved to tell engaging stories about his many wilderness adventures, and his love of birds, creation and his Creator.  He gave to others by sharing his own hard-learned experience, strength and hope; his good humor and deep faith are truly missed.

Don's survivors are his wife Laurel and her family, the three children he had with his first wife Dorothy Stoner Gleespen (Bonnie, Jonathan, and Joseph) and their spouses; four grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

San Jose Mercury News, March 25, 2012