Dr. Eugene Arthur Stovall III was born in 1940 in Oakland, to Melba Marie Stovall and Eugene A. Stovall Jr. He passed away Sept. 16 in Oakland at the age of 85.
Growing up in Oakland, Dr. Stovall received a Catholic education. He attended St. Joseph’s College Seminary, where he studied for the Catholic priesthood, and at the age of 18, he was invested into the Knights of Peter Claver. He later attended St. Mary’s College before being called to serve in the United States Air Force.
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At the end of his military career, Dr. Stovall returned to the University of California, Berkeley, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1969. He went on to spend a year studying the Swedish parliamentary ombudsman at the University of Lund, the research that would form the foundation of his master’s thesis. In 1973, he became a national foundation fellow, eventually receiving his PhD in political theory from UC Berkeley.
Dr. Stovall worked for the California State Legislature and the University of California’s Institute of Race and Community Relations before joining the corporate sector and going on to work at Pacific Bell. During his 18 years with Pacific Bell, Dr. Stovall also served as an adjunct faculty member for the University of San Francisco, St. Mary’s College, San Francisco State University and Merritt College, teaching marketing, telecommunications, critical thinking, Greek thought, Renaissance, public administration, and Black history.
Dr. Stovall met and married Eleanore Terrell-Stovall. To this union two children were born, Eugene Arthur Stovall IV and Jennifer A. Stovall. He was a strong father figure in the lives of his children and a man of deep conviction, unwavering love for his family, and a relentless commitment to education and progress. His sense of responsibility and devotion were the foundation of the home.
Dr. Stovall taught the value of hard work through his small business, selling merchandise like pins, sports paraphernalia, and memorabilia. And if this didn’t keep him busy enough, he also wrote five novels that blend history, politics, and social commentary. His works include “Frank Yerby: A Victim’s Guilt,” “Blood & Brotherhood,” “The Idumean Covenant,” “Cassandra’s Curse,” and “Consort of the Female Pharaoh.” Through these stories, Dr. Stovall explores themes like racial injustice, political betrayal, historical revisionism, and the struggle for personal and cultural identity.
Dr. Eugene Arthur Stovall III. Credit: Courtesy Stovall family
Eleanore and Eugene Stovall married and had two children. Credit: Courtesy Stovall family
Dr. Stovall enjoyed playing sports, and loved playing a good game of basketball, tennis, and chess. Although he stopped playing basketball and tennis many years ago, he played chess right up to the end of his life.
Dr. Stovall leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Eleanore Stovall; four children, Eugene Arthur Stovall IV, Jennifer A. Stovall; his two older children, whom he supported and cared for always, Akila Karanja and Edward “Bud” Stovall; his daughter-in-law, Lydia Stovall and son-in-law Joseph Karanja; his five grandchildren, Delamina Mwongozi, Yejide Mwongozi, Wambui Karanja, Tyler Stovall, and Eugene Arthur Stovall V; sister Mavis Stovall-Kelly and brother Count Stovall; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
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