In Remembrance

John Arthford Stough, Sr. (1926-2017)

It is with deep sadness that NASBP announces that NASBP Past President, John A. Stough, Sr, 90, peacefully passed away earlier this month at his home in Louisville, KY. 

John began his career in 1950 as a special agent with the National Surety Corporation. He later served as a state agent for the Great American Insurance Company and as special agent for Fidelity and Deposit of Maryland before joining Louisville insurance broker John M. Hennessy & Son, Inc. in 1955. In 1973, Stough joined Nahm, Turner, Vaughan & Landrum as vice president, and was named senior vice president and director in 1974. Upon the firm’s merger in February 1982, with Alexander & Alexander, Stough was elected senior vice president of Alexander & Alexander of Kentucky, Inc. of Louisville, KY (A&A), which AON acquired in 1996. He later was named managing vice president and assumed the position of president and chief executive officer of the agency in June 1983. He served as NASBP President from 1984 to 1985.Then, in 2000, John went to work for Neace Lukens, which  Assured Partners NL acquired in 2011. 

Tammy Masterson of Assured Partners NL in Louisville, KY said John was working every day at the agency last year until he had knee replacement surgery. "John was an amazing man and will be greatly missed in the surety industry," she said, adding "Even last year at 89 years old he was still going with me to visit his clients, that is how much he loved his clients and this industry; I hope I can still be as active at 89 years old."  

Jeff Brown of Garrett-Stotz Company in Louisville, KY said, he met John in 1978 when he relocated to Louisville, KY with USF&G. Brown related, "John was the first agent I called on upon arriving at my new location, and I was immediately impressed, and even more so as I got to know him better through the years, having joined him at A&A in 1984. John was the ultimate gentleman. His demeanor was cool, humble, confident, and always supportive of those in his charge. He treated his clients and led his business associates with the same heart he gave his family. I learned most of the technical part of the surety business from others, but I learned the strength of character and the endurance of relationships from watching John. I am so grateful for the 20 plus years I worked with him. He truly valued the opinions of others and sought their input in his decision-making process. That never was a long, drawn out process. He was a quick study. And when he made a decision, it was sound. And it was gospel! He always had the ability to put you at ease even in the most challenging circumstances. He was my mentor and my friend. We are entrusted to pay it forward."

John is survived by his wife Jane Kannapell Stough of 64 years, his three children, Elizabeth “Libby” Stough Rush (Noel), John A. Stough, Jr. (Lee), Douglas A. Stough (Preston); his brother in laws J. Douglas Kannapell (Danielle) and N. Allen Kannapell (Barbara), sister in law Joyce G. Booker; seven grandchildren Caroline Rush Myers (Gil),William Stough Rush (Chloe), John Stough III (Courtney), Elizabeth Carter Stough, Mary ordon Stough, Julia Ansley Stough, and Douglas Allen Stough, Jr., one great grandchild, Ansley Jane Myers. A mass of Christian burial was held at St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Home of the Innocents, 1110 E. Market Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40206, or to the charity of donor’s choice. Please join the NASBP Leadership and staff in expressing our deepest sympathies to John's family. To view an obituary for John and to post a condolence message to a tribute wall created by John's family, click here