Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

August 12, 2026

With profound sadness and hope in the resurrection, we share that John Ryan Stonestreet fell asleep in the Lord on August 12, 2026, at the age of 48.

John was born in Charleston, West Virginia, on February 27, 1978, to his devoted parents, Dana and Jana Stonestreet. He entered this world exuberant and emphatic – feet first, arms reaching overhead - two years to the moment after his sister Joanna’s birth.

From a young age, John befriended everyone he met, greeting all with his joyful and wide-open heart. He was curious about everything and inquisitive of everyone. John was always on the move, he was a doer.

When his family moved to NC in the fall of 1989, his passion for connecting with people served him well. John found new outlets for his energy with soccer, tennis, basketball, ping pong, skiing, snowboarding, youth group and Young Life involvement. In all his endeavors, he was fiercely competitive and equally empathetic.

John earned his degree in Communications and Rhetoric from UNC Chapel Hill, where he was an avid debater, a table tennis champion, a diehard Tar Heel and the nicest guy you would hope to run into on campus. During the summers, he volunteered in his community, participated in mission trips, and became Vector’s (Cutco) number one sales producer and team leader.

Following a variety of sales positions in Raleigh, John chose to follow his heart’s true desire to serve God and people. He pursued his theological training and Master’s degree at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary. It was at the seminary where he met his soon-to-be wife, Anastasia Bacalis, graduating and marrying in 2006.

John pioneered the role of Orthodox college ministry at his alma matter UNC, Duke, and NC State, serving students while also spreading awareness and fundraising for the ministry. Through his love and care for the students, John recognized the need to further his training in pastoral care, pursuing his hospital chaplaincy certification at Duke University. During his time serving at Duke University Hospital, John observed the great spiritual tensions and needs that modern end of life care presents, and he sought to better serve these needs by attaining his doctorate at Ohio University, graduating in 2014.

John was a loving, affectionate, doting and caring husband and father, finding great joy in spending time outdoors with Anastasia and his precious children Sofia, Ariadne, and Luke who are now 17, 14 and 11. While he would prefer biking them to the playground, John was always up for loudly cheering on the many impromptu singing and dancing performances of his little girls. He also shared with them his love for tennis and ping pong.

Later he would share his love of skiing and snowboarding with Luke, cherishing their time together in God’s creation.

His love for the Lord and care for his friends, family, and colleagues were evident in all he did. Long before becoming “Greek” through marriage to his beloved wife, as he liked to joke, he embodied the virtues of philotimo and philoxenia. John brought joy, fun, and laughter to every gathering, yet he was equally willing to sit with others in their pain and suffering.

John had a brilliant mind that never stopped brainstorming. He battled a lot and did so bravely. The family would like to thank all those who connected with and prayed for John in his own pain and suffering.

Matthew 11:28-29 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

We are deeply comforted knowing that John has found eternal rest for his soul in the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

John is survived by his wife Anastasia, children Sofia, Ariadne and Luke, his parents Dana and Jana Stonestreet, his sister Joanna who lives in Italy, his brother Daniel and nephew Micah of Asheville.

A Greek Orthodox service will be held at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Charlotte, NC, on Tuesday, August 25th, at 12:00 pm with visitation from 11:00 am-12:00 pm. Interment will be at the Evergreen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of John may be made to the Saint Sophia School (A K-6 Orthodox School which his son Luke attends), 5108 Kuykendall Road, Charlotte, NC 28270, or the Saint Hermione Home, Inc., (A ministry that provides a safe and supportive home for homeless women to give birth), P.O. Box 79177, Charlotte, NC 28271. These personify John's dedication to education and helping those in need.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606.  Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.