John Doyle Stembridge

John Stembridge was born in Macon, Georgia, on February 1, 1947, to Willard D. Stembridge, Sr. and Madge West Stembridge. Both are deceased. He had two brothers, Willard D. (Bill) Stembridge, Jr., and David Green Stembridge (wife, Katherine Livingston Stembridge); and one sister, Noni Stembridge Langford. Other family members include niece, LCDR Jessie Katherine Brenton; nephew, Dr. / Lt. Col. William David Stembridge, and his wife, Dr. Pallavi Luthra; nephew, John Michael Stembridge; grandniece, Isla Claire Stembridge; and grandnephew, Dawson Wells Stembridge; nephew, Joseph Francis Langford; and niece, Allison Margaret Langford, who predeceased him.

Due to Willard Stembridge, Sr., being a Marine Corps pilot, the family lived in various places: Perry, Georgia; El Paso, Texas; Cherry Point, North Carolina; New Rochelle, New York; El Toro, California; and Moultrie, Georgia.

John Stembridge graduated from Moultrie High School in 1965. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1966, where he served with distinction until his Honorable Discharge in 1970. He was awarded the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Navy Achievement Medal. While in the Navy, he was assigned to an Army Helicopter Attack Squadron detachment at Vinh long Army Airfield. During the Viet Cong Tet Offensive from January 31, 1968, through the peak hours of siege on February 6,1968, while under constant enemy attack, John demonstrated exceptional leadership and military achievement under the most adverse combat conditions. He was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal and was authorized to wear the Combat “V.”

Following his Navy service, John enrolled at the University of Texas El Paso, Macon Junior College, and Georgia College in Milledgeville. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in accounting. He later passed the rigorous CPA examination and became a Certified Public Accountant. He worked for the F.D.I.C., auditing banks in Alabama and Florida, and later in accounting practices in Gwinnett County, and Warner Robins, Georgia. In 2012, he established his own accounting practice in Destin, Florida.

John's colleagues, neighbors, and many friends universally talked about his kindness to all of them. His tax clients appreciated his accuracy and thoroughness in preparing their returns. He was generous to his letter carrier, servers in restaurants, cashiers, and to all with whom he came in contact. He had a keen dry wit, and many of his family members tried to emulate it (some with more success than others).

John Doyle Stembridge passed away in Destin, Florida, on August 16, 2024. His family and his extended network of friends will miss him greatly. All will cherish his memory and his service to his country.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at McCullough Funeral Home, 417 S. Houston Lake Road, Warner Robins, Georgia 31088. The Rev. Tommy Martin will deliver the eulogy. Rachel Elkins will sing. The family will greet friends at 10:30 a.m. and again after the service. Burial will take place with Full Military Honors at Walnut Cemetery in Unadilla, Georgia, following at 2:00 p.m.