Zane C. Stites

Zane C. Stites “He is gone from us but present and at peace with the Lord.” Zane Stites entered into eternal rest on May 4, 2014, with his family at his side. He was born on June 23, 1934 to Chet and Ethel Stites in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Zane graduated from Stillwater High School in 1952 and entered Oklahoma State University where he played collegiate football. He interrupted his education to join the Army and served 17 months in Korea as a staff sergeant beginning one month after his marriage to Susan Collins in February 1955. After returning home, he and Susan settled in their hometown of Stillwater as Zane reentered OSU. Their first child, Karen Elizabeth, was born in 1958. Following his graduation, the family moved to Amarillo, Texas and their son, Timothy Zane, was born in 1961. Zane held jobs in Amarillo and Dallas before entering the banking business in Clovis, New Mexico under the tutelage of Everett Musick and then followed him to Corsicana for a position at State National Bank. He became President of Corsicana National Bank (now Community National Bank & Trust) in 1968 and rose to Chairman of the Board, officially retiring in 2000 but continuing to serve as Chairman for several years. The bank grew under his leadership, and his philosophy that every customer was important built a generation of community-minded bankers and helped local businesses succeed. Zane took his role as a community leader seriously, serving on the Corsicana Industrial Foundation, YMCA board of directors and as Kiwanis president. The Corsicana Navarro County Chamber of Commerce recognized him with the Arthur J. Keeney Award for outstanding community service. Zane served as a trustee of Navarro College for 16 years during a period of tremendous expansion. He was also a dedicated community volunteer, coaching the Little League baseball team, American Reds, for 16 years, filming Corsicana High School and Navarro College football games, refereeing high school football, and driving for Meals on Wheels, Food for Fitness and Road to Recovery. Zane was a man with many interests. He was an avid sportsman, playing golf courses in all 50 states, snow skiing and making many friends along the way. Zane was a self-taught woodworker and made many pieces of furniture for his children and grandchildren, as well as items for church auctions and school organizations. Annual family road trips all across the country were a Stites tradition, building many memories. Following retirement, he and Susan enjoyed traveling and attending Elderhostels at many locations. He was faithful to his church, First United Methodist in Corsicana, where he sang in the choir, was a member and periodic teacher of the Friendship Sunday School Class for 48 years and served on the Administrative Board and numerous committees. Zane is survived by his loving wife, Susan, of 59 years, his daughter Karen and husband Les Leskoven, his son Tim and wife Ann, his beloved grandchildren Andrew Young and wife Haley, Bobby Scott, Catherine Young and Russell Stites, his great granddaughter, Hadlie Elizabeth Young and his step-grandchildren Laura Leskoven and Andrew Leskoven, as well as many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Geoff Collins and wife Carol and his sister-in-law, Lana Stites. He was predeceased by his parents, his in-laws Helen and Geoff Collins, his brothers Carol, Gary and Max and his sister, Linda Goodner. Pallbearers are Andrew Young, Bobby Scott, Russell Stites, Greg Stites, Dr. Richard Sanchez, Homer Wasson, Rod Goodner and K.C. Wyatt. Honorary pallbearers are Don Bowen, Everett Musick, Otto Baker, Board of Directors of Community National Bank and Trust and members of the Friendship Sunday School Class. Zane’s family would like to acknowledge the loving care given by Dorothy Anderson, Tori Cobb, Tammie Jackson, Larry Dixon, Johnny Wright and Debra Woods during his last illness. They also appreciate the kindness of Santana Ovalle, Family First Hospice, Trisun Nursing Home, Dr. Kent Rogers and the second floor nursing staff at Navarro Regional. Visitation will be at Griffin Roughton Funeral Home on Thursday, May 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Services will be held on Friday, May 9, at 2:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Corsicana, with Reverend Connally Dugger, Reverend Mike Alexander and Reverend Jay Fraze officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Corsicana or the Alzheimer’s Foundation.

Zane C. Stites

June 23, 1934 - May 4, 2014