Thornton Stanley Dove

Thornton Stanley Dove, 80, of Germantown, Maryland, passed from this life on Friday, July 19, 2024, at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC. Born on July 4, 1944, in Gaithersburg, MD, he was the son of the late Melvin Floyd Dove and Gladys Virginia (Shifflet).

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

To celebrate and honor the life of a truly remarkable man—our father—it’s difficult to find the right words to capture the essence of someone so special. We hope that in sharing these reflections, we can all find solace in the memories and the legacy he leaves behind.

Our father was not just a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; he was the very heart of our family. He was a pillar of strength and kindness, a man whose love and dedication touched every life he encountered. His devotion to his family was unwavering. To his wife, he was a loving and steadfast partner, someone who saw her not just as his spouse, but as his soulmate and best friend. Theirs was a partnership built on mutual respect, laughter, and a shared journey through life’s ups and downs.

As a father, he was our guiding light. His wisdom was profound, his patience boundless. He taught us the values of integrity, hard work, and compassion. Whether through his words or actions, he showed us how to live a life of purpose and kindness. He had a unique way of making each of us feel special, making us believe in ourselves and our dreams. His support was a constant source of strength, and his pride in us was evident in everything he did.

To his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was a cherished storyteller and a source of boundless joy. His eyes would light up with mischief and love as he shared tales from his own life or imparted lessons that only a great-grandparent could offer. His extraordinary tales of outrageous characters and adventures turned ordinary days into extraordinary experiences with his warmth and sense of humor.

Though he is no longer with us in body, his spirit will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew him. The lessons he taught us, the love he gave, and the memories we shared will continue to guide us. His legacy lives on in the values he instilled in us and in the stories, we will continue to talk about him.

As we say goodbye to him, let us remember the joy he brought into our lives, the laughter we shared, and the love that he so generously gave. Let us honor his memory by carrying forward the lessons he taught us and by living our lives with the same kindness and strength that he exemplified.

Rest in peace, Daddy. You were a wonderful man, and you will be dearly missed but forever cherished in our hearts and loved. Thank you for everything.

My dad, a remarkable man, filled our lives with love. Our shared passion for the Miami Dolphins created a bond that time cannot erase. These memories and countless others will forever be cherished in my heart. I love him deeply and miss him every day. – Shellie and Tim

My dad was the person I looked up to in every way. Growing up as the tomboy of the family, I found my role model in him. His passion for working on cars and lawn equipment inspired me to dive into those projects with the same enthusiasm. I was determined to take things apart and put them back together, just like he did. Admittedly, my attempts didn’t always go as planned, but his patience and encouragement never wavered.

Dad was my biggest supporter in everything I did. When I took up martial arts, he was always there, cheering me on and proudly watching every move I made. His smile, full of pride, was a constant source of motivation. Similarly, when I ran track, he was at nearly every meet, not just as a spectator, but as someone who knew how to make each race feel special. He was well-liked by other parents and teammates alike. His pep talks were legendary, and his tradition of packing rainbow chip cookies, orange juice, and oranges for every track meet was a testament to his unwavering support.

Even when I didn’t perform as well as I hoped, he never made me feel like I had disappointed him. His pride in me was unconditional, and his belief in my abilities was a powerful force that kept me going.

As I grew older and faced the challenges of life, including the birth and loss of my firstborn, Samantha Dove, and many failed relationships, Dad remained a constant. He stood by me, not just as a father, but as a pillar of strength. His role as a grandfather and father figure to my children has been a gift for which I will always be grateful. They experienced firsthand the love, support, and warmth that defined him. The way he engaged with them, spinning elaborate tall tales and creating memorable moments, has left an indelible mark on their lives. Although he was the proudest dad and grandfather, nothing compared to his joy in being a steady part of his two great-grandchildren’s lives. Despite his age, he still engaged with them in the same way he did with me and my children, allowing them to know the wonderful person he was to our family. Yet nothing touched him as deeply as the loss of his only grandson, my nephew, Brandon. Their relationship was a radiant source of joy and companionship, filled with shared laughter and heartfelt stories. Even though Brandon’s untimely passing brought such sadness, the bond they had forged remained a guiding light. Brandon’s memory was a constant comfort to Stanley, providing him with a wellspring of love and pride. The strength of their connection was a testament to the enduring power of family and the lasting impact of those we hold dear.

There are so many stories and memories that I could share, but what stands out the most is the undeniable impact he had on everyone who knew him. His legacy is not just in the moments we shared, but in the profound and positive influence he had on each generation that followed him. His unique ways of showing love and support have touched all of us, and his impact will resonate through the lives he has forever changed.

Daddy, your love and legacy will live on in all of us. Thank you for being the extraordinary person you were. - Barbie

My grandfather was an amazing man. He filled my life with so many good memories and laughter. Growing up, I remember him always being there for me. From sneaking me cookies, taking me to the park, driving me to and from school, and attending every dance recital and soccer game, he was always one of my biggest supporters and always told me how proud of me he was. Every time we were in the car, he would love to show me all his favorite music, which has become some of my favorites as well. I still listen to it. One of his favorites was "Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd. I remember watching wrestling with him every week and cheering on our favorite wrestlers together. He loved Triple H and Sting. I remember all the crazy stories he would tell me about how he lost his fingers. My favorite will always be that he was an alien. He even had an alien ID card that you could get from the gas station and carried it in his wallet to further solidify the story of him being from another galaxy. His sense of humor will forever be one of my fondest memories of him. He used to amaze me with card tricks. He showed me the same tricks for years, but I could never figure them out; I truly believed he was magical. He finally taught me one of my favorite tricks when I was a teenager. I still know how to do it, but I still believe that he was magical. I am beyond thankful for him being the strongest, kindest, and most loving male figure in my life. I am more than grateful that he got to know my kids. They loved him, and he loved them. Watching him play with them and tell them all the same crazy stories he used to tell me always made me so happy. I always believed that he was a big kid at heart to a certain extent. I will always try to honor him by being the same way; full of imagination, making things magical, and constantly caring. I love you so much, Grandaddy. You are as free as a bird now, and I’ll always be looking up, hoping to see you again. - Sabrina

He was a man of few words, yet the generosity and protection he provided the family was always felt through his actions and in our hearts. - Cassie

Reflecting on the many tucked-away memories, one stands out vividly. It was during the time we were digging out the backyard to flatten the ground for a pool. In the middle of the yard, we created a huge pile of dirt, which became the ultimate playground for me and my younger sister, despite it being the biggest eyesore to my grandma. 

One day, my granddad went out to the store and came back with a pack of tiny army men and a pack of tiny construction signs. It was such a small gesture, likely bought with the change he had stashed away from my mom and grandma when running errands, but it opened a whole new world of imagination for us on that mound of dirt. That small act turned an ordinary pile of earth into an extraordinary adventure.

While he was a quiet man, especially in his later years, he always found ways to do small things that meant the world to me. From bringing surprise toys, convincing my sister and me that he had a frog in his bicep, to constantly showing us kung fu moves from movies, and making funny faces across the room, these moments took mere seconds but left an indelible mark on my heart.

He showed up for me in the most meaningful ways. When I was younger, he attended every "Daddy and Doughnuts" event at school, standing in for my father. Despite the questions and confusion from others, his presence during those times meant everything to me, making me feel loved and supported in ways I can't fully express.

Just like those small toys turned a simple mound of dirt into a land of endless possibilities, my granddad's small acts of love and kindness transformed my world and perspective, filling it with joy and wonder.

These small acts of love and humor are memories I will carry with me for a lifetime. Granddad, you may have been a man of few words, but your actions spoke volumes. Thanks to you, I strive to be a selfless and action-oriented person. Your legacy lives on in the way I approach life. You showed me what it means to love deeply and find joy in the little things. For that, and for so much more, I am forever grateful. - Sierra

Families cherish grandparents. They are the originators of an important legacy, the best storytellers, and the keepers of cherished memories. They have a special love that makes them unique. I am grateful and honored to say that my grandfather did an incredible job in keeping his legacy alive and passing on his skills and love to the next generation. My granddad has affected us all in one way or another in a positive light. If we could do one thing for him today, let us be the person he would be proud of as we continue his legacy in our lives. My granddad was a one-of-a-kind guy, and heaven has truly gained a great angel today. – Stephanie

He is survived by his loving wife of over fifty years, Debra Dove; daughters Sherrie Newman and husband Brian, Shellie Glunt and husband Tim, and Barbie Dove; grandchildren Sabrina Fuenzalida, Cassandra Newman, Sierra Sirk, and Stephanie Sirk; and great-grandchildren Samantha F. and Aiden F.

He is preceded in death by his grandchildren Samantha Dove and Brandon Newman.

A graveside service will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery at 2:00 pm on August 5, 2024. Reverend Mays will officiate. The interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Frederick, MD.

Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at StaufferFuneralHome.com.