The Death of Victor Stoll

[ostoll]

Victor Stoll, 79, Finger, TN, died this morning. Final arrangements are being made, but the funeral will be Friday or Saturday. Anyone wishing to attend can call 731-934-4831.

Thank you,

Ora Stoll

[Louise Chambers]

Ora,

We are so sorry to hear this - Victor's love for martins, and the efforts his family made to support him, are unique and special. Our sympathies to the entire Stoll family.

[ostoll]

Thank you Louise for your kind words.

The viewing will be Friday afternoon and or evening and the funeral will be Saturday forenoon.

[James Strickland FL]

I am sorry to hear this kind of news. He was a loved man in the Purple Martin World. He will be missed. My thoughts go out the whole family.

[LarryMelcher/KY]

So sad to hear this... Victor Stoll. Purple Martin's best friend.

[Thurman Seber~TN]

A part of me feels great sadness at the loss of a friend, but another part rejoices at the thoughts of the glory he must surely enjoy at this moment.

A high point of the year for me was sitting with Victor at Martinfest late in the afternoon as the martins returned for the night. I could sense his deep love for martins, an even deeper love for his family and friends, and still a greater love for Jesus Christ.

Good Bye for now old friend and fellow soldier. We will talk some more someday:

My prayers are with your family

[Linda Reynolds]

AMEN, Thurman.

I have no doubt that Victor's deep faith and the faith of his family will provide them with the tools they need to face their loss. Nonetheless, support of family and friends will help.............

Ora, and family, I wish you the very best and grieve with you for the loss of a great man. I know how profound it is to lose a parent, and special wishes are extended to your mother, Esther for the loss of her long term partner. Paul and I also extend our sympathy to you and your siblings, and your extended families.

This is a loss to your family, our martin community, and society........Your Dad was a good man. He will be missed by many.

[Linda Reynolds]

I received word about the arrangements from my friend Mary, who is also Victor's daughter.

Victor's wake will be held on Friday from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm:

Estes Church of Christ
3505 Highway 45 S
Henderson, TN

Funeral will be held at the same location at 10:00 am Saturday, November 27th.

Burial will be at the Mennonite Church in Finger following the service on Saturday.

[Donnie Hurdt MN]

My colondences to Victors family on his passing and I agree with Thurman on that the joy that Victor is experincing now at last meeting his creator is more than any joy here on this earth.

[John Miller]

I did not meet Mr. Stoll other than on this Forum, but he made an impression on me and I am saddened by his passing.

I once asked Mr. Stoll to talk more about his experience with gray breasted martins in South America, and he gladly did. Just a snapshot from his interesting life.

http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... +gray+grey

My condolences to the Stoll family.

John Miller

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

So sad to hear of the loss of Victor. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Stoll family. I am sure there will be a few tears shed from the Stoll family as the first martin's return to the Stoll colony next Spring.

Tim

[Al Denton]

I'm very sorry to hear the news of Victor Stoll.....Peace, prayers and blessings.

[Steve Kroenke]

I was sadden to hear about the passing of Victor Stoll. He was truly one of the best friends of the purple martin. Just think of all the new martin colonies that have been established because of the huge numbers of martins he fledged at his site!

I first "met" Victor way back in the 70s or early 80s when we exchanged letters (before email) about purple martins. I often wrote letters to the "Nature Society News" about my martin colony and so did Victor.

Then I attended Purple Martin Fest for two years and met Victor in person. I enjoyed his company and passion for martins. I remember watching literally thousands of martins coming to roost at his colony during the evening!

Victor made a huge contribution to the purple martin community. We will all miss him.

Steve

[John Barrow]

As I posted yesterday on another forum upon learning of Victor's death:

While many knew this day was not long in coming, it is still impossible to express the enormity of the love and unselfish outreach that Victor and his family shared with the martin community. Those of us who knew this family are all better persons from having had that experience.

I once received a clipping I will share here. It has meant much to me at times like this. It is a piece called "Natural Body--Spiritual Body ( I Cor. 15.44)". It was written by Edward Madison Cameron whose earthly span of 78 years almost matched that of Victor. As his health was failing, he wrote this piece to his aging natural body.

"To my natural body and life-long companion: You and I have been together for a long time in a most intimate and valuable relationship. Now you have grown old. Your hearing and strength are failing. Your resistance to cold is diminishing. You cannot climb and run as you once did. In a word, you are running down. In a short time, perhaps a year or five years or maybe ten, you will cease to breathe and your heart will stop beating.
" When you can go no further, I will have to leave you and be free.
" When we separate, you will be returned to the substance of which you were made and I shall continue on in that life where you are not needed.
"A Power greater than you and I started us on this journey. Now I recognize that you are aware of the fact that your journey is nearing its end, while my journey has scarecely begun. I know this to be true, for while you are feeble, I have never been more alive.
" Our separation, therefore, cannot be one of sadness, but will be one of joy.
" You are weary and want to stop.
" I am longing to alight from this slowing vehicle and go on without you.
" Death will mean that your desire to stop is granted and my longing is satisfied."

As we bid farewell to Victor we can all be thankful that he so freely shared his mind, body and spirit with so many. May his aging natural body now rest in peace as we offer our prayers for his wonderful family.

[KathyF]

Ora,
We have never met, but I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. The purple martin community has lost a great landlord.

Best wishes to you and your family and may you find peace.

John B., excellent piece.

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

Our condolences to the Stoll family. I never met him or any family member, but do recognize the great impact that you had on the purple martins. God bless him and the family...

[Fredmyyster]

I am very sorry about your loss.

[~Ray~Gingerich]

Sorry to hear of your loss,will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
I never meet Victor but have heard a lot about him and read his book.

[Gobbler T]

We are very sorry for your loss. We can only hope to be as blessed as he was. Mr Stoll will be missed. We are ever grateful for the fond memories.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Stoll family.

[Kelly Applegate~MN]

My deepest sympathies to the Stoll family & friends for the loss of a wonderful man. He touched so many with his love for purple martins, myself included.