LEBANON, NH — Jonathan David Stearns, at the age of 71 and surrounded by family, died peacefully at his home on Saturday after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Hanover, NH on September 10, 1948 to Stephen Russell Stearns and Eulalie Holmes Stearns, Jon graduated from Hanover High School in 1966.
Jon attended Ithaca College for several years before taking time off to volunteer for AmeriCorps VISTA in Indianapolis, where he made a difference in the lives of disadvantaged youth.
Returning to college at the University of New Hampshire, he graduated cum Laude in 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics.
Jon met the love of his life, Marion Jarry Stearns at Dartmouth’s Baker library and married her on August 25, 1972. The couple enjoyed 48 years of marriage filled with love, kindness, humor and countless adventures. Jon adored his family.
Jon enjoyed a fulfilling and successful professional career in sales and marketing as well as human resources. The recipient of several advertising design awards, he worked at the Valley News from 1975-1983. He also acted as marketing manager at Whitman Press, Inc. (1983-1988) and as community campaign coordinator at the Montshire Museum of Science (1988).
During his 26 year tenure at Concepts NREC (1988-2014) Jon was an integral part of the company’s growth and served in many roles, including Director of Human Resources. Following his time at Concepts NREC, he leveraged his expertise as a senior human resource professional into his work at Mascoma Corporation, Novo Nordisk, and his own consulting company, Gray Matter Resources, LLC. He was a member of the River Valley Human Resources Association (president 2011-12) as well as the Vermont State SHRM Council. He received the HR Professional of the Year Award in 2013.
A well-respected and active contributor to his community, throughout the years Jon volunteered on over a dozen boards and community organizations. Education was of utmost important to Jon and he was committed to making sure the children in his community received a quality education. Jon was Chairman of the Lebanon School Board (1985-1990) and President of the UNH Parents Association (1995-1999). Recently he was vocal in his support of the Lebanon School District’s school renovation project.
Over the last decade, Jon served on the Personnel Committee at the Carter Witherell Center (CCBA) and was a board member and Personnel Committee Chair for Advance Transit. He was passionate about the mission of both organizations. During Jon’s semi-retirement, he worked at the Hotel Coolidge and Marsh Brothers Deli enjoying the relationships he formed with co-workers and customers.
Jon was known for his generosity, kindness, and passion for sports. He supported the Lebanon High School Girls’ Basketball Program (after watching his daughters play) as the head scout for 21years, forming special friendships, and helping the team win many a championship title.
Jon loved the game of golf as it provided him with a healthy dose of competition, the chance to experience the beauty of nature, and time with friends and family. He played in several leagues and enjoyed competing in tournaments to raise money for charity. He shared a love for the game with his grandson, who he spent countless hours trying to keep up with on the course. For the last three years, Jon coached the Lebanon Middle School Golf team, a program he was instrumental in starting.
Also an amateur photographer, Jon often entered his photographs into the Valley News Annual Photo contest. A number of his pictures won awards and were enjoyed by many. One of his final acts of kindness was to frame several of his photographs to give to the nurses in the infusion room at the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, along with a handful of gift certificates for the “Bird Ladies” who filled the bird feeders outside the windows there.
Jon enjoyed writing, poetry and singing. He took great pride in his home, gardens, and lawn. He grew raspberries for Marion, from which he made his famous raspberry jam. He loved to cook and bake for his family and especially loved teaching his grandchildren the secrets of his special pancake recipe.
He never missed an activity that his grandchildren were involved in and took great pride in the achievements of his family members.
He is survived by his loving wife, Marion Jarry Stearns of Lebanon; daughter Sarah Jameson and husband Kelly of Tacoma, WA; daughter Emily Marsh and husband Stephen “Bud” of Plainfield, NH; brother Stephen Stearns and wife, Bonnie of Brattleboro, VT; sister Marjorie van Lent of St. Albans, VT; brother-in-law Peter van Lent of Canton, NY; sister-in-law Regina Laraway and husband Bryan of Lyme, NH; sister-in-law Connie Emerson and husband Roy of Lebanon; grandchildren, Hunter Marsh, Annella Marsh, Lucie Marsh, Arya Jameson, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Lee and Russ Stearns; his wife’s parents, Cecile and Dominique Jarry; his wife’s brother, Robert Jarry; his wife’s sister Corinne Carr and husband Jay; and his beloved grandchildren, Jay and Russell Jameson.
Jon fought his illness the same way he lived his life, with humor, kindness, strength, integrity and not once did he complain. We want to thank everyone who helped keep him comfortable including the team at DHMC, the incredible staff at Bayada Hospice, and Jon’s sister Margie who was a ray of sunshine.
Contributions can be made in Jon’s memory to The Carter Community Building Association (CCBA) “ccb furnace fund” in Lebanon, NH or the Advance Transit Annual Fund in Wilder, VT.
Calling hours will be Friday, September 11th from 2-5:00pm outside at the Stearns family home. A memory service will be held on Saturday, September 12th at 11:00 am at the Pine Knoll Cemetery in Hanover, NH. An online guest book is available to leave a message of condolence for Jon’s family by visiting www.rickerfuneralhome.com.