Richard Lee Stone, age 66, of Bryan, TX left us too soon on Oct. 4, 2019 as a result of a boating accident. He was doing what he loved – fishing in Matagorda, TX. He was a son, a brother, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather, an uncle, a cousin, a friend, and so much more.
Richard was born on Sept. 27, 1953 to Richard and Edna Stone (Walker). He was the eldest of five children.
A 1971 graduate of Stephen F. Austin High School in Bryan, he proudly served his country in the Third Battalion Platoon 3134 in the U.S. Marine Corps as an airplane technician from 1971 to 1975, rising through the ranks from private to corporal. Richard went through basic training in San Diego, CA and was stationed in El Toro, CA; the Philippines; Vietnam; Australia; and Japan. Before he was honorably discharged, he received the National Defense Service Medal and a Rifle Sharpshooter Badge. Richard exemplified the Marine Corp’s core values of honor, courage and commitment. Semper Fi!
After his discharge from the Marines, Richard worked in oil drilling, then became an electrician, and retired from the automotive industry where he managed wholesale and retail car sales.
He was preceded in death by his father Richard Stone, Jr. He is survived by his mother Edna; brothers, William (Billy) L. Stone and Charles (David) D. Stone; sister Linda K. Stone (all of Bryan, TX); brother Robert (Bobby) V. Stone and his wife Brenda of Hearne, TX; his first wife Cindy Powell of Humble, TX; his children Valorie Pullin and husband Jason of Deanville, TX; Melissa D. Van Dyke and husband Scott of Lincoln, NE; Alisha (Nicole) N. Raidart and husband Branden of Gurnee, IL; Valorie, Melissa and Nicole’s mother Deborah Hastings of Montgomery, TX; Richard (Ricky) L. Stone, Jr. of Austin, TX; Blake A. Stone and wife Marissa of Bryan, TX; and Sara D. Stone of Bryan, TX; Ricky, Blake and Sara’s mother Jeanette Stone of Bryan, TX; 10 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; too many nieces, nephews and cousins to name; and many friends.
Richard loved them all fiercely and they loved him back – a man who was larger than life, whose laugh filled the room. A true Renaissance man, he had many passions – his large and loving family, dancing, reading, music, cooking and grilling, hunting, fishing, gardening, poker and, most of all, God.
In the last year of his life, Richard met his friend Lisa Coleman of Matagorda, TX. They talked every day and never ran out of things to say to one another. They shared many devotionals together as Richard began down God’s great path for us all - forgiving others and, most importantly, himself. We were blessed to see Richard turn his life back to God. It was a beautiful testimony – a fitting end to a story filled with laughter and one that ended too abruptly for those of us he left behind. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come, the new is here!” Richard’s new life has begun in Heaven with our Father – well done, good and faithful servant! Until we meet again, you keep those angels dancing in Heaven. You are deeply missed and loved. You live on in our hearts.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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