We are sad to share the news that Stepping Stone has lost one of our most beloved supporters this week. Peter Jarman, former board member and lifelong champion of our mission passed peacefully on Monday evening, being cared for by his dear friend John W. So many of us are grateful to have known Peter and Stepping Stone is incredibly grateful for his contributions to our clients, our organization and to those who know and love him in the recovery community.
Peter’s Legacy
Peter joined the board of Stepping Stone in 1987 and served on the board for 10 years, including serving as president of the board. He was 15 years sober at the time and looking for a way to give back. During his time on the board he and the other board members’ hard work and dedication laid the foundation of much of what Stepping Stone is today. He interviewed and hired Cheryl Houk as executive director providing stability and leadership for the organization. He was president of the board when the Central Avenue property was purchased and he called the dedication of the new facility years later a very special moment for him and the board.
He and fellow board member John Amick also created the first Stepping Stone Gala in 1992 providing a continual source for fundraising to help strengthen and grow our programs. Since leaving the board in 1997 Peter has continued as an advocate for Stepping Stone, donor and always present at our Galas.
Beyond Stepping Stone, Peter also leaves a legacy of lives he has impacted throughout his life and his 49 years of sobriety. Many people know and love the Little Apple Meeting which he started with some others in 1986 and had been an active participant since.
Memorial Fund
Stepping Stone has established a memorial fund honoring Peter Jarman for his contributions to Stepping Stone and will honor him with a commemorative tile at the entrance of our courtyard. You can donate to the fund at http://steppingstonesd.org/peter.
If you want to hear some of Peter’s incredible life story, please check out the 4 part interview completed by The Personal Stories Project. You can find his video and their other interviews at https://personalstoriesproject.org/peter-my-story/ He finishes his videos talking about sobriety and his service to Stepping Stone. His message to those watching, “You don’t have to take drugs and drink in order to be comfortable with yourself”, and he concludes with, “You have your whole life ahead of you and if you don’t get caught up with drugs and drinking you have a great future because you can be who you are.”
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