Thurman B. Stone Jr.

Mr. Stone of Charlotte left us today, June 9, 2011, for his prepared place in heaven. He was born November 20, 1948, son of the late Rev. Thurman B. Stone and Evelyn Stone. Butch was the most devoted and loving husband, father, brother and friend that could ever be and was so adored, loved and cherished by all that knew him.

Butch remained positive and hopeful throughout his journey with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and then the bone marrow transplant on May 19, 2010. Despite the loss of so much including his eyesight, he fought with all he had and did that in hopes of resuming his love of life with his family and friends.

Butch was a man of many talents. He was an accomplished musician and song writer. The Poor Souls have received many awards over the years and were inducted into the Beach Music Hall of Fame. Butch has also received the male vocalist of the year award. He, along with Tim Eaton and Bobby Smith (deceased), began what was to live on as The Poor Souls. Many people have been entertained with his unique talent. He has brought so much joy and laughter to so many over the years. Since Bobby Smith's death in 2009, Butch, Roger Smith and Tim Eaton vowed to continue the legacy of The Poor Souls. They recently released their new CD, Try to Remember, featuring many originals including 'Back to Carolina,' which Butch wrote and recorded and is featured as the theme song on the weekly television broadcast of 'Life in the Carolinas.' Butch and Roger both introduced several originals on the CD. Butch's eyes would light up at the mention of this and how unique it is. As he said, all this music was a labor of love.

Butch was employed with Wachovia/Wells Fargo as a real estate appraiser. He always enjoyed his work there with his many friends and acquaintances. Before joining Wachovia, he had his own appraisal company, Stone & Company Real Estate Appraisers, where he worked with Vicki, his wife, and employed other appraisers from time to time. He also taught appraisal classes at CPCC. Before becoming an appraiser, he worked with several companies as a real estate broker.

Butch attended Gardner-Webb College along with UNC-Chapel Hill and UNC-Charlotte and graduated with a bachelor of science degree. He was a Tar Heel fan through and through. There are so many to thank that followed and cared for him (us) throughout this journey, beginning with all of you 'prayer warriors' - also Dr. Grant Taylor, Dr. Dipika Misra and the staff with Oncology Specialists of Charlotte, Dr. Mitch Horwitz and the entire staff of wonderful doctors, ANPs, nurses and employees with the Adult Bone Marrow Clinic at Duke University Medical Center, the 'cream of the crop' nurses and staff of 9200 floor at Duke University Hospital, Dr. Mark Lanasa and Patty Davis of Duke Medical Center, the wonderful staff of nurses and techs on 7F at Presbyterian Hospital downtown, and Carolinas Rehab Specialists. You all have become a part of our family with all the time we spent together and we extend our thanks for all your encouragement and care of Butch. We cherish the friendships we have made along the way and will always keep you close to our hearts. The degree of love and compassion you show to others will one day be returned to you.

Butch leaves behind his family, his devoted wife of 36 years, Vicki; sons Daniel and Josh, whom he adored; sisters Mimi Funderburk and children, and Debra Stone; aunt Ruth Wilson and cousin Vicki Cheek; brothers Roger Hardee (Rhonda) and children, Ray Hardee (Andrea) and children, Richard Hardee (Traci) and children.

I know that Butch is eternally grateful for his many, many friends and prayer warriors that followed his journey through CaringBridge.org and were always there to encourage him along the way. As he said many times, he doesn't know the 'why' to his suffering but his eyes were opened to such goodness in humanity and to experience the kind of love that he did somehow justified it.

Funeral services will be at 12 noon, Monday, June 13, 2011, at Calvary Church, 5801 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, NC. Rev. Ray Hardee will be officiating along with Richard Hardee and Pastor Phil Divine. Visitation will be from 10:30am to 12:00 noon at the church prior to the service. Interment will follow at Sharon Memorial Park in Charlotte.

Memorials may be made at www.CaringBridge.org/visit/ButchStone.