June Henry Stallings, Jr.—devoted father, dog lover, athlete, gardener and wine enthusiast—passed away peacefully in the morning of December 8, 2020, at the age of 86. His immediate family members were able to be with him in the preceding days, and his daughter, Kristen, was by his side when he passed.
Born in Durham on September 28, 1934 to June Stallings, Sr. and Ruby Ausley Stallings, June attended Durham High School and then went on to play basketball and baseball at Davidson College. Never one to be afraid of bucking norms of the time, he was also a member of the cheerleading squad.
He then graduated UNC Dental School in 1959 and began practicing dentistry in Durham, going on to run a private practice until his retirement in 2005. He was a lifetime member of the American Dental Association. But family was first and foremost for June.
From the beginning, he planned his life and career arc around being able to provide for a future family—including his dogs, who were always by his side.
He coached each of his children in various sports and helped mentor others along the way—giving his players rides home from practice and ensuring that all team members received equal playing time, regardless of skill level. June was an involved member in many community groups.
He was a longtime member of Kiwanis in Durham and in Southern Pines, where he resided from 1999 to 2019. He also served a time as president of Toastmasters and the Durham City Club and was awarded Durham “Father of the Year” honors in 1983.
He was a founding member of the Iron Dukes, attending Duke home games for 35 years and sponsoring Duke student athlete scholarships. June strongly believed in giving back. He was a supporter of the Boy Scouts and a long-time Scout Leader.
And in the last years of his dental career, he would shut down his practice to provide dental care for those in need from the Durham County jail. His love of oral surgery put him in a unique position to be able to treat any patient, regardless of complication.
In the evenings and on weekends, you could often find June running the Al Buehler trail in Durham, sitting quietly on a deer stand, or tending his large backyard garden.
Proud of his work, he always had fresh produce at the ready for family and friends—and was known to carry his own tomatoes to the local sandwich shop to ensure he had the best. He always had a listening ear and wise advice for family members, friends, or often someone he had just met. When you expected him to have the least amount of patience, he would have the most.
Those of us touched by June’s life will carry pieces of him with us forever, sharing them with the world and ensuring that his memory will never fade.
He was preceded in death by his sister and best friend, Bobbie Ann Mims, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 1984.
He is survived by son June (Jay) Stallings III, daughter Kristen Jupena and her husband Nick, their two children Jake and Catherine, and son Thomas Stallings and his wife Laura.
Please inquire with the family concerning a graveside service in early 2021.
To honor June’s memory and continue his legacy, the family requests donations be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation or Guiding Eyes for the Blind.
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