John C. Stophel, 81, a prominent Chattanooga attorney, civic and religious leader, passed from this life in Chattanooga on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Pauline Phipps Stophel; his son, Nathan; and his grandson, Hunter Bethea.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Phyllis Stophel Bethea; and his parents, Oscar and Cora Stophel, of Bristol, Tenn.

Survivors also include seven brothers and sisters who relied heavily on John for family leadership for the 38 years since their father’s death in 1969. The surviving siblings are Doris Baines, of Bristol, Tenn., Ralph Stophel and wife, Mary, of Cleveland, Tenn., Betty Sapp, of Franklin, N.C., Glenn Stophel and wife, Jackie, of Franklin, Tenn., Larry Stophel and wife, Karen, of Chattanooga, Charlotte Robinson, of Franklin, Tenn., and Judith Blake and husband, Dr. Woods Blake, of Chattanooga. His family also includes 19 nieces and nephews and several great-nieces and nephews.

John’s early education was in the public schools of Sullivan County, Tenn., outside of Bristol where he was raised. While in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he attended Duke University for a brief time before going on active duty. After his discharge from the Navy, he attended and graduated from Bob Jones University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He received a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Tennessee and his law degree from McKenzie College of Law.

John and his wife, Pauline, moved to Chattanooga in 1950 where John began a highly successful and distinguished professional career as a certified public accountant and attorney that spanned 57 years. At the time of his death, John was the senior member of the Chattanooga law firm of Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel P.C. Widely recognized for his expertise and skill as a lawyer and accountant, John served a term by appointment of the Governor of Tennessee on the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy and served as its president during a portion of his term. He also served as a director and president of the Tennessee Federal Tax Institute Inc. and was a Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel. For several years, John has been listed in the Best Lawyers in America for his work in representing nonprofit organizations.

While excelling in his professional practice, John also distinguished himself as a leader among his professional colleagues. He served as president of the Chattanooga Bar Association, president of the Estate Planning Council of Chattanooga, president of the Chattanooga Chapter of Tennessee Society of Public Accountants, a director and then president of the national Christian Legal Society and was a Founding Fellow of the Chattanooga and Tennessee Bar Foundations.

In addition to his professional activities, John was also dedicated to community service. He felt strongly about giving back to his community. He served as a member and president of the Chattanooga Jaycees, the Chattanooga Rotary Club, the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, and was campaign chairman of Chattanooga United Way Fund Drive. He was also a member and chairman of the Chattanooga Venture Memorial Auditorium Committee and a member of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium Renovation Committee. He also served on the board of directors of the Metropolitan YMCA and was appointed by Governor Buford Ellington to serve on the Tennessee Tax Study Commission.

In his civic work, John also had a special place in his heart for the advancement of education. To that end, he was a member of the board of trustees of the University of Chattanooga Foundation and served as its chairman and president from 2001-2004. He was also a member of the National Advisory Council for Bryan College, the Covenant College Board of Associates, the University of Tennessee College of Law Continuing Legal Education Advisory Committee, and a member of the board of trustees of Bob Jones University.

In recognition of his service to his profession and to the community, John was Chattanooga "Young Man of the Year" in 1960, Bob Jones University "Alumnus of the Year" in 1970 and the recipient of the Chattanooga Bar Association President’s Award in 1990, the Kiwanis Distinguished Service Award for 1993, the Chattanooga Bar Association Ralph H. Kelley Humanitarian Award in 1996 and the UTC Alumni Board Outstanding Service Award in 2004. In connection with that award, John was honored for his service to UTC by inclusion into the elite group known as the "Legends and Leaders of the University". Also in recognition of his contributions, John was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree by Tennessee Temple University.

While John was esteemed in his professional and civic life, his service to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was the cornerstone for his life and was best reflected in his compassionate heart and his service to others through his church and many religious organizations. He has faithfully served at Brainerd Baptist Church for many years as a deacon, Sunday School Department Director, adult Sunday School teacher, as chairman of numerous standing committees, and as a Trustee of the church. Recently, the congregation of Brainerd Baptist Church elected John as Deacon for Life, an honor that has rarely been bestowed by the church. John was also dedicated to serve the Lord in other religious organizations. He was active in Gideon's International, where he served as president of the Chattanooga East Camp. For 25 years he served as treasurer of the Public School Bible Study Committee in Chattanooga. He also served on the board of directors of Leadership Ministries Worldwide and the Chattanooga Christian Community Foundation. He also served as a trustee of the Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, on the board of trustees for the Tennessee Baptist Foundation and on the board of directors of the Tennessee Temple University Endowment Fund.

Visitation with the family will be held today, Oct. 5, from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. in the sanctuary of Brainerd Baptist Church located at 300 Brookfield Ave.

The funeral service will also be held in the sanctuary at Brainerd Baptist Church at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, with Dr. Darryl Craft presiding.

Burial will follow in Forest Hills Cemetery.

Hunter Bethea, John Kevin Stophel, John W. Sapp, Christopher Robinson, John Berg Sr., C. Kenneth Still, E. Stephen Jett and Ronald D. Gorsline will serve as pallbearers.

The members of the Stophel Sunday School class and the deacons of Brainerd Baptist Church will serve as honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Brainerd Baptist Church building fund, 300 Brookfield Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37411 or to Gideon’s International, Chattanooga East Camp, P.O. Box 8792, Chattanooga, TN  37414.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.mem.com.

Arrangements are being made by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, East Chapel, 404 S. Moore Road