Daniel "Dan" Lee Stoneburner

Daniel Lee Stoneburner (Dan) passed away on Friday, August 18, 2023, embraced by the love of family and friends near and far.

Dan was born July 4, 1945, the son of Floyd and Harriett (Stockdale) Stoneburner in Zanesville, Ohio. He moved with his family to Oswego, Illinois, and later to Terra Haute, Indiana, where he graduated from Indiana State University, majoring in biology and chemistry. He received his doctorate in plant ecology from Iowa State University in 1970. He served in the United States Army from 1970 through 1974, primarily working at the Army Environmental Hygiene Agency at Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland, achieving the rank of Captain.

Upon separating from active duty, Dan became the ecologist for the Southeastern Region of the U.S. Park Service, starting a cooperative unit at the Odum School of Ecology at the University of Georgia, where his research included sea turtles, wild horses, birds, and beach ecology. Tracking wildlife led him to study telemetry and to start his Custom Telemetry and Consulting and CamTrak Inc. businesses. He developed and produced tracking devices used globally. Dan invented, developed, produced, and marketed the original trail camera used by hunters and wildlife enthusiasts worldwide.

In retirement, Dan continued to pursue lifelong interests and added an in-depth study and application of alternative medicine. He loved his time on the water, fishing pole in hand, and his daily walks and talks with his friends. Another source of great joy was gathering with his “Family of Friends”, long time friendships formed in his time in the Army. Dan relished times spent in Waverly Woods neighborhood social activities, whether scrambling eggs for “Breakfast on Longview”, catching up on the news at driveway parties, or playing poker with the boys. He also cherished his time in Covenant’s Journey class and the exchange of engaging ideas. Dan had an abiding love of the earth, continuing to study and savor moments of observation and reflection on its wonder. He often said, “Live with the earth, not on it.” Dan’s other abiding love was that of his family and the traditions he shared with them, among which was making his mother’s sugar cookie and tart recipes and sharing them with others.

Dan is survived by his wife of 52 years, Ellen; his three daughters, Tara Stoneburner (Dean Davis) of Broomfield, CO, Erin Stoneburner of Portland, OR, and Emily Stoneburner of Boston, MA; his sister Kathie (Jim) Spotts of Atlanta, and brother-in-law Bob Hansen of Minneapolis, MN, and nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Wednesday, August 23, at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1066 Gaines School Road, Athens, GA, with a reception in the Fellowship Hall following the service. Interment will follow this fall at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church or the American Cancer Society.

Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, EAST, Athens is entrusted with arrangements.www.lordandstephens.com.