James Stennett

James Michael Stennett passed away, with his wife and a son by his side, on Wednesday morning, February 16th, in Selma, Alabama at the age of 73. He was born on November 25th, 1948, in Blackwell, Oklahoma to parents Arthur Lee Stennett and Georgia Lee “Keel” Stennett.  He graduated from Blackwell High School in 1967 and studied Electronics at Northern Oklahoma College graduating with an associate degree in 1969. Mike was a Vietnam veteran having served in the Navy aboard the USS Ajax, and spent about a year on Kume Island, Okinawa, Japan, enjoying life on an island in the Pacific.  After serving his country, he moved to Montana where he met and married the love of his life, Kristine Louise Rader, on May 12, 1973.  They lived in several cities in Montana where Mike worked for Burroughs Corporation in the computer and electronics industry.  In 1978, they would move to the Pasco/Kennewick area of Washington state where their children were raised and graduated high school. He worked as a teacher with the Kennewick School District teaching electronics classes for many years until his retirement in 2011.  Retirement would see one more move to Selma, Alabama, in 2013 after visiting their daughter there and falling in love with the town and its people.

A devoted husband and father, Mike loved his family, and they always felt that love each time he wrapped his arms around them with his big, strong hugs. Mike’s main emphasis was always on his family including caring for their special needs daughter, Abigail.  He loved the outdoors, hiking and camping with the family, shooting his black powder muzzle loaders, and supporting his wife and daughter, Andrea, in their love for horses, by doing the heavy work!  He also enjoyed motorcycle riding, dabbling in painting, woodworking, and raising donkeys.  Mike was an avid lifelong reader who could spend hours browsing the shelves of antique bookstores.  During his retirement years, some of his interests included Bible study, Civil War reenactment, and visiting his grandchildren.   Mike was a member of the Blue Jean Church in Selma. During the last 18 months he taught Bible study classes which were posted on Facebook.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Sean Stennett.  He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Kris, of Selma, Alabama, his son Seth Stennett and wife, Kelly, of Appleton, Washington, son Brett Stennett and wife, Chin Ling, of Corona, California, daughter Abigail Stennett of Selma, Alabama, and daughter Andrea and husband Andy Duggin, of Salina Kansas, brothers, Art Stennett and wife, Pat, of Bentonville, Arkansas and Mark Stennett and wife, Alicia, of Austin, Texas along with grandchildren:  Carter Stennett, Hannah Olsen, and husband Eric, Nolan, Colton and Conner Stennett. Tony, Mike and Zach Duggin.  Great grandson: Ryker Olsen

There will be a visitation with the family from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm on Sunday, February 27th at the Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral home, 2900 Citizens Parkway, Selma, Alabama. Graveside services will be conducted at 12:30pm Monday, February 28th at Alabama National Cemetery, 3133 Highway 119 Montevallo, Alabama. To share your memories and condolences with Mike’s family, please visit https://www.lawrencebrownservice.com