On April 11, 2026, Garfield Clayton Stambaugh, Jr. at the age of 87, moved one last time to his eternal home.

Gar was born on August 28, 1938, to the late Garfield and Effie Lee Castle Stambaugh.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Gwendolyn Preston Stambaugh, maternal grandparents Lonnie and Mary Kate Robinson Castle, paternal grandparents, John and Lyda Belle Preston Stambaugh, and aunt and uncle, Arthur and Faye VanHoose Castle.  Also, three brothers, James Lindy Stambaugh, Martin Lonnie Stambaugh and wife Carol, John Wallace Stambaugh and wife, Elizabeth Ann; four sisters, Mary Katherine Stambaugh, Lydia Bell Stambaugh, Avonelle Stambaugh VanHoose and husband, Clyde, Alberta Stambaugh Strugill and husband, Eugene and nephews, Wendell Kevin VanHoose and Kelly Shepherd.  Also, a dear friend, Joe Hunter.  Gar is also preceded in death by many of his gospel family of singers with whom he traveled the country singing for over 40 years.

He is survived by three nieces, Patricia Shepherd of Sitka, Ky, Debbie Daniels and Brad of Tutor Key, Ky, Lee VanHoose and Julie of Lexington, Ky, and one nephew, Danny Martin Stambaugh of Marion, Ohio. great nieces and nephews: Tres Dean and Noemi of Northridge, California; Elliott Clyde VanHoose of Tutor Key, Ky, Miranda Layne VanHoose of Knoxville, Tn., and Jason Shepherd and Jennifer of Sitka, Ky and Marc Ryan Shepherd and Tiffany of Sitka, Ky. He is also survived by a host of great-great nieces, nephews, cousins and other family and friends including Pastor and long-time friend, Tim Hamilton and Phyllis of Fairborn, Ohio, Donna Hall of Livingston, Tennessee, Pastor Harkless and Peggy O'Bryant of Kettering, Ohio, and Dwight Smith and Donna of West Palm Beach, Florida along with his special care givers, Devin Lowe, Novella Justice, Jenny Adkins and Brindell Waller.

Gar and Gwen were married on June 21, 1959. They loved to travel.  Most of us today travel by using a Global Positioning System, but Gar always said he had his own GPS- Gwendolyn Preston Stambaugh.  Gwen had a memory and a knack for directions and locations.  Gar just listened to Gwen, and she always got him where he wanted to go.  Their time in Dale Hollow, trips to West Palm Beach and travels across the country to visit friends and family kept them active and full of life in their retirement years. They enjoyed every minute and every mile.

Gar gave his life to the Lord when he was 22 years old.  At the time of his death he was a member of the Immanuel Freewill Baptist Church of Louisville, Ky and the Writeview Freewill Baptist Church of Fairborn, Ohio.  Over the years he served as a Deacon in several churches as they moved from Ohio, to Tennessee, to Florida and Kentucky. He always enjoyed helping with church projects and Christmas events, including writing and directing Christmas plays.

Gar loved carpentry work and would tear something up just to be able to fix it. When visiting his sisters, Abby and Bertie, he would always look for things he could repair for them.

Some of the family's fondest memories of Gar included the famous Stambaugh Family Card Games. He and his brothers, sisters and in-laws spent many hours during holidays playing their favorite game, Canasta.

In his home, whether in Dayton, Dale Hollow, Louisville, West Palm Beach, or Cedar Creek everyone was always welcome and he and his family and friends spent many hours around his piano singing praises to God.

His visits always brought joy to everyone, and his sisters would plan out every detail of the visit and cook for days making his favorites such as chocolate fudge and chocolate pie. All those who knew him remember his keen wit and how he would play pranks and jokes on everyone.  No one was more loving than Gar and he was always attentive and listened to every word when you talked with him.

Junebug, as he was fondly called by Trish and Deb, often shared bits of wisdom with them and he never missed an opportunity to spend time with the girls, to take them shopping or meet somewhere for dinner with Lee and Julie.  Trish and Deb often reminisce about their summer visits to Dayton and Fairborn and how Gar made every visit more fun than the one before.

Gar loved dogs and over the years his best friends were Pepsi, Old Buddy and Lisette.

Gar held various jobs including manager of the Famous Clothing Store in Fairborn, Ohio, where he learned to sew and do alterations.  In his last days, he was still sewing and altering clothes even when they didn't need it.  He also worked for an insurance company before becoming the floor manager and customer service trainer for the General Motors Inland Plant in Dayton, Ohio.  General Motors recognized Gar's talents and leadership and awarded him The Outstanding Achievement for Demonstrating Leadership in Planning, Organizing and Execution of the Delco Product Dayton Operation.

However, the job that he talked about most often was his days as a carhop at the Tiger Drive-In with his good friend, Kamel Belhasen.

Gar loved his mother very much and talked about her every day.  He shared countless stories about her with the family and the ladies at Cedar Creek.  In the last weeks of his life he carried a picture of her in his shirt pocket.

In the days and years to come, all of us will think about Gar and we will remember the prayers he shared during our family meals at Thanksgiving, Family Reunions, and at church; we will remember the stories he shared with us about family, especially those about his mom, dad and grandparents. As a family we will never forget the fun times we had on Gar's boat and picnicking with him on Effie's Island in Dale Hollow.  He had a large personality and was the center of attention everywhere he went.  He was a true servant of God and the sound of his voice and his songs, especially "Hold to My Hand" and "That Eternal City" will remain with us forever.  Surely goodness and mercy has followed him through all the days of his life and now he dwells in the house of the Lord, forever.

The family wishes to thank all of you here today, those who attended the visitation, and brought food. We also express our gratitude and appreciation to the staff of Cedar Creek Assisted Living in Pikeville, the Jones and Preston Funeral Home, Mike Preston and his many friends and acquaintances for the prayers and thoughtful acts of kindness you have shared with the family during this time of sorrow.  We invite you to join us at the      Silver Spoon on Broadway in Paintsville following the graveside farewell.  May God be with you always.

Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 14, 2026 in the Jones-Preston Funeral Chapel with Tim Hamilton, James Kelly Caudill, Joe Carroll, and Harkless O'Bryant officiating. Burial will follow at Johnson County Memorial Cemetery, Staffordsville, Kentucky. Friends may visit the Jones-Preston Funeral Home on Monday, April 13, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday, April 14, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m.

Jones-Preston Funeral Home is both Honored and Privileged to be Entrusted with all funeral arrangements for Mr. Garfield Clayton Stambaugh, Jr.