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Marion J. Stoner Frankfort, MI QCWA # 5011 Chapter 10 |
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XYL: K8JZU Beverly # 19294
Daughter: W8VWY Mary Anne # 32788 ( father's old call )
National SK Archive
Marion J. Stoner, of Frankfort, died June 9, 2004, at the Maples in Frankfort. Born on Nov. 15, 1924, on the family farm near Ashley in Gratiot County, he was the first child and son of Claude Thomas and Elfa Maye (Baker) Stoner.
Growing up, Marion lived in several towns along the Ann Arbor Railroad as his dad moved among positions with the railroad. In 1938 the family moved to Frankfort, where Marion graduated from high school in 1942.
In 1941 Marion obtained his Amateur Radio license, being assigned the call W8VWY. In 1943, he obtained his FCC First Class Commercial license and began his career as an engineer from WKZO in Kalamazoo. From there he went to work for CBS at their Boston station WEEI.
After World War II ended, Marion supervised the building of radio station WROV in Roanoke, Va., and became their Chief Engineer. While working there, he returned to Kalamazoo.
On March 8, 1947, Marion married Beverley May West, daughter of Gordon and Ada May West. Later that year the newlyweds returned to Michigan, and Marion supervised the building of WTTH and WTTH-FM in Port Huron where he became their Chief Engineer.
The family welcomed a son, Thomas Gordon Stoner, on April 12, 1950. Marion entered the television market in 1952, going to work for WJBK-TV in Detroit. On July 18, 1953, a daughter, Mary Anne, was welcomed into the family. Marion eventually became the Chief Engineer for WJBK-TV. He spent many years there until, in 1972, he changed his career again by entering the microwave communications market. Marion worked for American Microwave and Communications of Iron Mountain. When the company was sold to Telecommunications Inc. of Denver, he stayed on as manager. Marion retired on Jan. 1, 1990. He and Beverley moved back to Frankfort.
Marion had been a member of many professional and amateur radio organizations over the years, including: The American Radio Relay League, The Quarter Century Wireless Association, The Old Old Timers Club, The Motor City Radio Club (life member), the Central Michigan Amateur Radio Club and The Cherryland Amateur Radio Club, where he was a current member. Marion was also a charter and life member of the Society of Broadcast Engineers.
He had been very active in the Amateur Radio Emergency Corps and reactivated it in Benzie County when he moved to Frankfort in 1990. Marion also acted as an Amateur Extra level Volunteer Examiner, giving Amateur License exams in Lansing, Traverse City and Manistee, after the FCC discontinued giving them in 1984.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Beverley; a son, Thomas and his wife, Catherine of Ann Arbor; a daughter, Mary Anne; three grandsons, Christopher, Charles and Alexander Kane, all of Ypsilanti; two sisters, Barbara and Jean Stoner of Ann Arbor; a family friend, Durwin Passow of Ann Arbor; brother-in-law, Arthur H. West and his wife, Phyllisan of Cape Coral, Fla.; and a stepsister, Margaret and her husband, Harold Palmer of Leslie.
Marion was predeceased by his parents; stepmother, Esther Stoner; and a sister, Catherine Kelly of South Haven.
Friends may call today, June 11, 2004, from 4 to 8 p.m., at the Benzonia Chapel of McElduff Funeral Homes. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 12, 2004, at 2 p.m., also at the funeral home, with the Rev. Richard C. Stoddard officiating. Interment will follow in Crystal Lake Township Cemetery North. Memorial contributions may be directed to The Maples, 210 Maple St., Frankfort, MI 49635; The American Radio Relay League, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111-1494; or The Quarter Century Wireless Association, PO Box 3247, Framingham, MA 01750-3247.
Chapter 10 Secretary, Jim W8JFB
Marion is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Beverley, K8JZU, son Thomas and his wife Catherine Stoner of Ann Arbor and daughter Mary Anne and three grandsons:Christopher, Charles and Alexander Kane of Ypsilanti; 2 sisters, Barbara and Jean Stoner, a family friend, Durwin Passow, all of Ann Arbor; brother-in-law, Arthur H. West and wife Phyllis Ann of Cape Coral, FL., and step-sister Margaret and husband Harold Palmer of Leslie, MI.
While still in High School in 1941, Marion became licensed as W8VWY and was an Extra Class Licensee. He joined Q.C.W.A. in May of 1966 as member (#5011) and was a very active member of Michigan Chapter 10.
Marion dedicated his entire adult life to his family first and then to his love of radio and the Communications Industry. In addition to QCWA, He was active in numerous other amateur radio organizations. He served as an Amateur Extra Level Volunteer Examiner, held numerous offices, was involved in the Amateru Rado Emergency Corps, being responsible for reactiving it in his home county of Benzie County, Michigan, and was always devoted to the advancement of amateur radio.
Marion will be sadly missed by his family, many amateur radio and communications industry acquaintances and many other friends.
We wish to convey our deepest sympathies to his family and want them to know that thay are all in our thoughts and prayers. A donation has been made to the Q.C.W.A. Memorial Scholarshop Fund in Mation's memory by ther members of Chapter 10.
Thanks and 73'sJim, W8JFB
Chapter 10
credit KF8BEX
credit Motor City RC
W8VWY was a big promotor of two meter FM.
credit Motor City RC
