Lucian Paul Stohler was born on January 7, 1945, in Elsa, TX to Paul Stohler and Velma Lucille Stohler. He was the oldest of three, with his brother Jimmy and sister Rosanne.

The family soon moved to the Houston, TX area where his dad worked in construction and pastored while his mom was a schoolteacher. His parents had such a great influence on his life and led him in trusting Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior. He graduated from Furr High School in 1963. Lucian was called to the ministry one day sitting out in a family orchard in the Texas valley where he surrendered his life to the Lord and His ministry. He attended Howard Payne College from 1963-67. After Howard Payne, Lucian attended Southwestern Theological Seminary where he graduated with a Master's in Religious Education in 1970. During college and seminary Lucian served in many churches in Goldthwaite, Kerrville, Dallas, and Ft. Worth.

After seminary, Lucian was called to St. Clair Shores, Michigan to lead the youth at First Baptist Church. At one revival, a pastor, Dr. Harlan Caton, visited and ended up calling Lucian to be the youth minister at Spring Baptist Church in 1974.

Though single, Lucian had a plan to get a date – on Tuesday night visitations he would pick out the single ladies' visitors' cards to go visit them. The plan worked perfectly, because he met a young, beautiful visitor to the church named Deana Skinner. They were married on June 5, 1976.

Four years later, Lucian and Deana had their first child, Paul in 1980. Almost two years later, Jonathan was born and lived only a month. During that time, the church ministered to them so graciously that when Spring was born in 1983, she was named after the church in honor of these precious people.

For 37 years Lucian ministered at Spring Baptist Church. From youth ministry, to education ministry, to prayer ministry, to missions, to funerals, to hospital visits, to weddings, to evangelistic visits, to so much more, Lucian had a part in it all. So many countless lives were changed as Lucian shared the Gospel with so many, baptized so many, prayed with so many, visited so many hospital rooms, made many home visits, taught many classes, and shook so many hands each and every Sunday morning.

Lucian also got to contribute to Bible Drill in the state of Texas for the BGCT and later the SBTC. He loved the Word of God and loved getting to organize events where children and youth could show how they memorized God's Word.

After retirement, Lucian continued to do ministry – preaching at his son's church, preaching funerals, teaching Sunday School and so much more. He never really retired from ministry. He invested in churches, but he also invested in his children and grandchildren's lives, teaching them more and more about what it truly means to live for and follow Jesus.

From his salvation, Lucian loved His Lord, Jesus Christ. He believed God's word was vital for life and Christian living. He taught God's Word faithfully to his children, grandchildren, and his church. Lucian regularly read the word of God, even reading through the Bible several times in a year.

Lucian was a faithful servant, a faithful minister, a faithful friend, a faithful son, brother, and uncle, a faithful father and grandfather, a faithful man of God, and a faithful husband. Outside of his love for the Lord Jesus Christ, Lucian loved Deana more than any other person on this planet. He was faithful to her, loved her deeply and unconditionally, supported her, was always there for her, cooked some amazing meals for her, and modeled how a Christian husband loves his wife.

Lucian is preceded in death by his father, Paul Stohler, mother, Lucille Stohler, and son, Jonathan Stohler.

Lucian is survived by his loving wife Deana Stohler of Cypress, TX, son Paul Stohler and wife Michelle of Boerne, TX and their children Jonathan and Maddie, daughter Spring Rutland and husband Byron of Cypress, TX, and their children Charles Reed, London Reed, Bo Rutland, and Kimber Rutland, his brother Jimmy Stohler and his wife Jennifer of Spring, TX, his sister Rosanne Smith and her husband Jimmy of Benton, AR, extended family and countless friends.

Lucian's life was dedicated to living, loving, and serving the Lord Jesus Christ. At a young age, Lucian put his faith and trust in Him. He told others about Jesus, lived for Jesus, and loved Jesus. His heartbeat was to point others to Jesus and sharing Him with others. So, if you are reading this and you do not have a relationship with Jesus, know this: Jesus loves you. Though we are sinners, we have disobeyed God, He still loves us. God loves you so much, He sent Jesus Christ, His One and Only Son to die in your place. Jesus lived a perfect life and took your sin upon His shoulders on the cross. Then, three days later, Jesus rose from the grave giving victory over sin and death forever. To have a relationship with God, tell Him you are a sinner, ask Him for forgiveness, tell Him that you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and ask Him to come into your life and be your Lord and Savior. This is how you can truly live! Just like Lucian did. He would say this is the best decision you can make in your life. If you have made that decision, make no mistake, you will see Lucian Stohler again in heaven worshiping at the feet of his Savior, Jesus Christ!

For those desiring, Memorials can be made to Missions Ministry at Crossroads Baptist Church.

https://crossroadstw.org/give/