Ivan Thal Stinson, 87 of Turlock died peacefully at home from cancer on October 2nd. He was born September 1, 1928 at Emanuel Hospital to John and Frieda Stinson of Delhi, CA. Ivan attended Ballico Grammar School and was a 1946 graduate of Livingston High School. He was a graduate of Modesto Junior College and earned a degree in Chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley. He served in the U. S. Army from 1950-1952 at Brooke Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Ivan married his high school sweetheart, Bonnie Myers in 1952 at the First United Methodist Church in Turlock. Following his service in the Army, he worked for Chemurgic for 12 years as a plant chemist and field man. He then went into business with his brother Bert Stinson as an almond grower and custom almond huller at the family ranch in Delhi. After retiring from farming, he spent his daytime hours golfing at the Turlock Golf and Country Club. Ivan held a pilot’s license and enjoyed flying, gardening, traveling, playing bridge, hunting, fishing, and volunteering in the community and at the First United Methodist Church of Turlock.
Ivan was always involved in community service. He was a member of the 20/30 Club and helped to organize Little League in Turlock. He was a member of Turlock Masonic Lodge - F & AM, Stockton Scottish Rite Bodies, Aahmes Shrine Livermore and Turlock Shrine Club. Ivan participated in Toastmasters, was a Cub Scout leader, Julien School PTA member, Past President and Paul Harris Award recipient of Rotary Club of Turlock, Chair of CSU Stanislaus Foundation Board, and an original member of the Almond Hullers and Processors Association. Ivan served 14 years on the Turlock Elementary School Board and he and Bonnie were awarded with the Best of Turlock Agribusiness Couple of the Year, 1984. He was a proud and active member of the United Methodist Church of Turlock for over 60 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother Mabel Stinson, and brother Bert. Ivan and Bonnie were blessed with three children; daughter Becky (Eric) Julien of Turlock, sons Kirk (Anita) of Turlock and Scott of Delhi. Along with his wife and children, he is survived by his five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: Jennifer (Tony) Sousa of Turlock, Evan Julien of Los Angeles, Jami (Adam) Stasko of Tracy, Amelia Stinson of Turlock, Ashley Stinson of Turlock, Ashton Stasko and Indiana Stasko. He is also survived by sister-in-law Marlys Stinson of Delhi.
Ivan will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He had a strong work ethic, was an honest man and believed in fairness. He never turned down a challenge, especially when it meant climbing on the roof. He was a cheerleader for his fellow cancer warriors and maintained a positive attitude throughout his battle. Ivan was intelligent, witty and determined until his final days. He touched the lives of many and will be missed by all.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 15th at Turlock Funeral Home, 425 N. Soderquist Rd., between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. A celebration of the life of Ivan Stinson will follow on Friday, October 16th at the First United Methodist Church of Turlock, 1660 Arbor Way, at 11:00 a.m. Interment services are private.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to First United Methodist Church of Turlock, Covenant Care Hospice, or Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in his name.
