Jerry Sterling Stover's Obituary
STOVER, JERRY STERLING Died peacefully February 7, 2012, at the age of 92. Born in Dallas on July 11, 1919, Jerry was the son of Jerry and Elizabeth Stover. In 1941, following his Junior year at SMU, Jerry volunteered for Radar training and was commissioned a Second Lt. in the US Army Signal Corps. He began active duty September 1 of that year. In October 1941 Jerry was attached as a Military Observer to the US Embassy in London and assigned to the Royal Air Force (RAF) for training. He was subsequently assigned to RAF Coastal Command where he flew “anti-sub” missions over the English Channel. Jerry returned to the United States in April 1942 where he helped develop radar equipment for the US Air Force. Jerry then returned to England in January 1944 where he worked on OVERLORD plans for the invasion of Normandy. He was subsequently appointed Signal Officer, Advance Headquarters, US Ninth Air Force, and went ashore at Omaha Beach on D Day 2. After serving in five campaigns, including the Battle of the Bulge, Jerry finished the war in Germany with the rank of Major. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his work in setting up combat communications on Omaha Beach. After the war, with the aid of the GI Bill, Jerry finished his Electrical Engineering Degree at SMU. While at SMU, he and another former Signal Officer, Tom McMullin, founded Communications Industries, Inc. (CI) with an initial capitalization of $1200. The company manufactured mobile radio equipment, furnished car telephone service, and subsequently became a nationwide cellular operator. CI became a public company in 1963 and, in 1986, was purchased by Pacific Telesis Co. (now Verizon.).Upon his retirement as Chairman of CI in 1980, Jerry returned to SMU where he served as a Special Assistant to the Dean of Engineering. He received the Engineering School’s “Volunteer of the Year” award in 1984. In 1981 Jerry received the Centennial Medal from the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) for “outstanding contributions” to the field of mobile communications and just this past November received The Radio Club of America’s highest award, The Armstrong Medal. Jerry was a member of the IECC, a Fellow of the Radio Club of America, and a member of the SMU Foundation for Science and Engineering. He was a Registered Professional Engineer, and a licensed “ham” radio operator for almost 80 years, with the call sign W5AE. Jerry was predeceased by his sister Virginia Stover Webster of Dallas, and is survived by his wife of 48 years, Juanita Stover of Dallas, sons Sterling Stover of Oxfordshire, England, Bruce Stover of Dallas, stepson Bob Locker of Dallas, stepdaughter Laura Homer of Cleburne, nephews Ronald Webster of Houston, Stephen Webster of Ft. Worth, niece Betsy Hamilton of Wichita Falls, and numerous great nephews and nieces, and countless friends. The family wishes to thank The Forum of Dallas for their excellent care and love with a special thanks to his caregiver Fay Moss. Visitation will be Monday, February 13 at Restland Funeral Home from 6.00 p.m. – 8.00 p.m. with funeral services on Tuesday February 14 at 3.30 p.m. at Restland Memorial Chapel. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Texas Communities Foundation or the charity of your choice.
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