Roll Call Tribute
Lonnie Stabler '69 December 4, 2013 8:39 AM
Published in The Bryan-College Station Eagle on December 4, 2013
Lonnie Dean Stabler
December 11, 1945 - December 1, 2013
Lonnie Dean Stabler, 67, of Bryan, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, December 1, 2013. A time for family to receive friends will be from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at Hillier Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at Central Baptist Church, 1991 FM 158 in College Station. Interment will follow at Bryan City Cemetery.
Lonnie was born on December 11, 1945 to Mable Louise Davenport and John Calvin Stabler in Bryan, Texas. He graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in Bryan in 1964 and attended Allen Academy, Texas A&M, and The University of Houston. He owned and operated Stabler Sign Company in Bryan for over 40 years. Lonnie was a founding member of Westminster Presbyterian Church.
He was a philanthropist at heart and spent many years serving civic and community organizations. In 1991, Lonnie was elected to the Bryan City Council for Place 5 where he served until 1995 when he was elected Mayor. He continued serving as the City of Bryan Mayor until 2001. During his tenure, Lonnie was involved with several key community related projects and improvements which included overseeing the purchase of the LaSalle Hotel as well as having the original vision to sell later.
He was a key part of the Austin’s Colony Development, the Carnegie Library Rehabilitation Project, the Neal Park Project, the purchase of Old Federal Building, creating Traditions Golf Course, renaming Earl Rudder Freeway, working on the Downtown Bryan Master Plan and Façade Grant Program.
Lonnie proudly served on many professional and community boards including: Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) from 1995-2001, Brazos County Health Department Board from 1991-1995, Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management Agency from 1997-2001, Brazos Animal Shelter Board from 1996-2001, Texas Municipal Power Agency Board (TMPA) from 1996-1999 and 2001-2005, Bryan Texas Utilities Board (BTU) from 2001-2006, Board of Sign Control and Appeals from 2005-2011, Blinn College Advisory Board and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) Electrical Sign Task Force. As well as being a member of the above Boards, Agencies and Task Force committees, Lonnie also served as Chairman for each of them.
Lonnie also knew the importance of being involved in professional trade associations and he served as an officer in several of the organizations he was involved. Lonnie was a member of Texas Sign Association (TSA) for approximately 35 years, served two terms on the TSA Board of Directors and was the TSA President from 1994-1995. He was a member of the Southwest Sign Council (SWSC) for two terms, served as President of SWSC and representative to the International Sign Association (ISA). Lonnie was involved with the ISA for 30 years including serving two terms on the ISA Board of Directors, Chairman of the ISA Regional Council two years and was an active participant in numerous ISA committees including membership, marketing and government relations.
Outside of his service to his community and industry, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, fishing, hunting and collecting Indian artifacts.
Lonnie leaves behind his loving wife of nearly 25 years, Leona K. Stabler of Bryan; children, Randall D. Stabler and wife Jennifer of Round Rock, Staci D. Stabler Groff and husband David of College Station, Terri J. Stabler of Allen, Thomas B. Richards and wife Angie of Bryan, Lance E. Richards and wife Robyn of Bryan and Erin J. Richards of Bryan; eight grandchildren and the mother of Randall, Staci, and Terri, Karla J. Duckett Stabler of College Station. He is preceded in death by his parents, maternal grandparents, paternal grandparents and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to Texas Sign Association, Dewayne Billingsley Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Hillier Funeral Home, 2301 E. 29th Street, Bryan, TX 77802.
Please share memories and tributes of Lonnie at www.hillierfuneralhome.com.
Lonnie Dean Stabler
December 11, 1945 - December 1, 2013
Lonnie Dean Stabler, 67, of Bryan, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, December 1, 2013. A time for family to receive friends will be from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at Hillier Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at Central Baptist Church, 1991 FM 158 in College Station. Interment will follow at Bryan City Cemetery.
Lonnie was born on December 11, 1945 to Mable Louise Davenport and John Calvin Stabler in Bryan, Texas. He graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in Bryan in 1964 and attended Allen Academy, Texas A&M, and The University of Houston. He owned and operated Stabler Sign Company in Bryan for over 40 years. Lonnie was a founding member of Westminster Presbyterian Church.
He was a philanthropist at heart and spent many years serving civic and community organizations. In 1991, Lonnie was elected to the Bryan City Council for Place 5 where he served until 1995 when he was elected Mayor. He continued serving as the City of Bryan Mayor until 2001. During his tenure, Lonnie was involved with several key community related projects and improvements which included overseeing the purchase of the LaSalle Hotel as well as having the original vision to sell later.
He was a key part of the Austin’s Colony Development, the Carnegie Library Rehabilitation Project, the Neal Park Project, the purchase of Old Federal Building, creating Traditions Golf Course, renaming Earl Rudder Freeway, working on the Downtown Bryan Master Plan and Façade Grant Program.
Lonnie proudly served on many professional and community boards including: Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) from 1995-2001, Brazos County Health Department Board from 1991-1995, Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management Agency from 1997-2001, Brazos Animal Shelter Board from 1996-2001, Texas Municipal Power Agency Board (TMPA) from 1996-1999 and 2001-2005, Bryan Texas Utilities Board (BTU) from 2001-2006, Board of Sign Control and Appeals from 2005-2011, Blinn College Advisory Board and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) Electrical Sign Task Force. As well as being a member of the above Boards, Agencies and Task Force committees, Lonnie also served as Chairman for each of them.
Lonnie also knew the importance of being involved in professional trade associations and he served as an officer in several of the organizations he was involved. Lonnie was a member of Texas Sign Association (TSA) for approximately 35 years, served two terms on the TSA Board of Directors and was the TSA President from 1994-1995. He was a member of the Southwest Sign Council (SWSC) for two terms, served as President of SWSC and representative to the International Sign Association (ISA). Lonnie was involved with the ISA for 30 years including serving two terms on the ISA Board of Directors, Chairman of the ISA Regional Council two years and was an active participant in numerous ISA committees including membership, marketing and government relations.
Outside of his service to his community and industry, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, fishing, hunting and collecting Indian artifacts.
Lonnie leaves behind his loving wife of nearly 25 years, Leona K. Stabler of Bryan; children, Randall D. Stabler and wife Jennifer of Round Rock, Staci D. Stabler Groff and husband David of College Station, Terri J. Stabler of Allen, Thomas B. Richards and wife Angie of Bryan, Lance E. Richards and wife Robyn of Bryan and Erin J. Richards of Bryan; eight grandchildren and the mother of Randall, Staci, and Terri, Karla J. Duckett Stabler of College Station. He is preceded in death by his parents, maternal grandparents, paternal grandparents and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to Texas Sign Association, Dewayne Billingsley Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Hillier Funeral Home, 2301 E. 29th Street, Bryan, TX 77802.
Please share memories and tributes of Lonnie at www.hillierfuneralhome.com.
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