Obituary of Ronald D. Stone

Ronald D. Stone was born on July 19, 1947 in Salem, Missouri. Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother the Church, he died July 13, 2013 in his home in Licking, Missouri. Ron attended Licking schools and graduated in 1965. From there, he went on to Central Methodist University and earned a Bachelor degree in Science. After graduating from Central Methodist and serving as a medic in the U.S. Army at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C., Ron taught science courses at Houston High School. He was a well-liked teacher who worked to instill a love of learning in his students. He was often approached, even years later, by former students who remembered him because of his influence on their life. After his time at Houston High School, Ron went to work for Webster University where he earned a Masters in Business while serving as the Site Director for the Fort Leonard Wood campus. After five years at Webster, Ron took the job of Site Director for Central Texas College (CTC) at Fort Leonard Wood. After twenty-plus years of working for CTC, he retired and began teaching GED courses at South Central Correctional Center (SCCC). He would later become the Director of Education at SCCC and help begin the first college-certificate program in a Missouri prison with cooperation from Missouri State University – West Plains. He served on the Licking School Board and persistently committed himself to providing quality education in the community. He strove to help those who were overlooked, whose chances were considered slim, and he did so wherever he went, from Licking, Missouri to Stuttgart, Germany. Ron’s faith, family, friends, and community provided the cornerstones for his works in the world. He was an active member of St. John’s Catholic Church and participated regularly in the Residents Encounter Christ program at SCCC. He believed faith in Christ and education were the foundations of a well-lived life. Ron was also active in his community, serving on the Texas County Health Board, the Texas County Memorial Hospital Board, and working with Licking Downtown. He loved floating, golfing, quail hunting, and visiting with friends. He was a devoted fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. He celebrated the team’s wins and fretted over losses. Once, while staying in a hotel, he received a “pipe down” call from the front desk for being overly celebratory after the Cardinals won a playoff game. When the topic came up, one could always tell if the Cardinals had won or lost their last game by the tone of Ron’s voice. Most of all, he loved and cherished his time with his immediate and extended family. He was a loving husband, son, father, grandfather, and friend. Ron is preceded in death by his father, James Stone. He is survived by his wife, Mary (Vance) Stone, and mother, Fairy (Foley) Stone, of Licking; his son, Ryan Stone, and wife, Ann (Dallavis) Stone, of Rossville, Illinois; two grandchildren, Anthony James and Ethan Elijah; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. He embraced life to the fullest and made the most of every moment and act. His life was a testament to his spirit, and we know in death he was embraced to the fullest by God.