Edward Brannin Stone

Dallas, TX – Edward Brannin “Eddie” Stone, 84, passed away peacefully Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at his home in Dallas, TX after a brief but valiant battle with Pancreatic Cancer. Having never met a stranger, Eddie leaves behind countless treasured friends ranging from reformed Bonnie and Clyde gang members to US Presidents. Because of his own humble beginnings, he felt strongly that everyone should be treated with equal respect regardless of their circumstances.

Born August 13, 1927 and raised in Dallas, the youngest son of Gladys and Barney Stone, Eddie was proud of his deep Texas roots that spanned back three generations. He attended Sacred Heart Elementary in Dallas. After graduating from Jesuit High School in 1945, he proudly served in the US Marine Corp and was preparing to depart for active duty in World War II when, as he tells it, “The Japanese heard I was coming so they surrendered!” After his military service he attended Loyola University in California then returned to Texas where he attended SMU.

In December of 1954 while attending a Knights of Columbus Christmas dance, Eddie spotted a beautiful young nurse named Glenn. Four months later, in April of 1955 Juanita Glenn Shepherd became Mrs. Eddie Stone. They eventually settled in Richardson, TX – just a few miles from his birthplace. There they spent the next 32 years raising all five of their children.

After a very short career as a piano salesman, Eddie decided to follow in his father’s car dealer footsteps and joined W.O. Bankston in 1956. W.O. quickly took Eddie under his wing and the partnership proved to be prolific – with Eddie’s help, W.O. went on to build one of the most successful automobile franchises in Dallas history. During his time with Bankston, Eddie earned both a real estate license and an insurance license adding to his impressive business portfolio. It was this diverse skill set that helped to foster the success of the Bankston franchise where he worked until his retirement in 1997.

It is hard to tell the history of Dallas without including Eddie Stone starting in his youth during the 1930’s when his first claim to fame is for having sold the first RC Cola ever sold in Dallas. His next adventure started as a young man attending the Texas State Fair and Rodeo in Dallas. He enjoyed the Fair so much that in 1959 he began volunteering with the Texas State Fair Youth Auction committee where he served in various roles including the past 10 years as Youth Livestock Liaison. In 2009 he was honored for having served over 50 years. In all that time, he never missed his beloved State Fair, until 2011 when terminal illness kept him from actively participating for the first time since he was a young boy.

In 1960 Eddie would again become a fixture in Dallas history. This time at the Cotton Bowl as he watched the newly formed Dallas Cowboys stumble through their first season. He went onto serve in many significant roles with the team starting in the early years when he worked with the original management group assisting local legends such as Clint Murchison and Tex Schramm with everything from fostering relationships with many of the top business and civic leaders in Dallas to assisting with recruiting efforts and finally helping to garner the public support that became so critical to their success. Over the years, many of the players came to depend on Eddie’s advice to guide them through some of the difficulties they encountered as they faced an unforgiving public spotlight. Years later he was instrumental in building their new home in Irving, TX where he attended every home game and hosted guests at the Bankston Suite – the first suite that was sold at the stadium. It was from his 50 yard line vantage point that he watched his Cowboys go on to win five Super Bowls. Throughout the seventies and eighties, the name W.O. Bankston Lincoln-Mercury was proudly displayed on the back of the home game tickets.

Football was not Eddie’s only sports passion. From the time he was a child, baseball played an important roll in his life. Over decades, he became an avid collector of baseball memorabilia including many items from his good friend Mickey Mantle. It was through this association that he developed a longtime friendship with President George W. Bush.

Eddie was again part of an event that would change not only the course of Dallas history but American history as well. On a bright morning in November of 1963, Eddie sat at a luncheon at the Dallas Trade Mart waiting for the guest of honor for whom the event was being held. Sadly, that guest would never arrive. President John F. Kennedy had been cut down by an assassin’s bullet just moments from arriving to meet with civic and business leaders in Dallas. Eddie Stone was one of those business leaders and one of Eddie’s close friends was Sherriff Bill Decker. The following is an excerpt from the Sixth-Floor Oral History Project. http://www.jfk.org/go/collections/oral-histories/interviews-by-name?letter=S

Eddie Stone

In 1963, Stone was vice president of the W.O. Bankston automotive dealerships in Dallas. He attended the Trade Mart luncheon with Bankston, D.A. Henry Wade, and Judge Lew Sterrett. Following the assassination, Stone spent much of his weekend in the office of his friend, Dallas County Sheriff Bill Decker. Recorded August 15, 2008.

It was his involvement in this event as well as many others that made him an invaluable source of information for several of historian Jim Gatewood’s biographies about significant people and places in Dallas history. You can get more information about these books at www.dcarb.com.

Once again, Eddie played a role in American History when his everyday vehicle became an icon of pop culture. In 1978 he drove his company vehicle, a silver Lincoln Continental, to the set of a soon to be launched pilot of an new TV drama series. That car was spotted by one of the crew members of that show. He felt it would be a perfect vehicle for Jock Ewing as “EWING 1” in the upcoming TV drama, Dallas. If you visit the Southfork museum today, you can still see Eddie’s silver Lincoln Continental.

His relationships were so incredible that one even led to a reprimand from his oldest son’s teacher. After riding to a football game on the Cowboys team bus, Mike went to school and told all his friends. The tale seemed so unbelievable that the teacher called Eddie to tell him that Mike had been telling fibs at school. Eddie humbly explained to the teacher that Mike was indeed telling the truth.

His many interests also included photography which he enjoyed with his youngest son Nick, ride-along’s with the Dallas Police Department and both fresh water and saltwater fishing. He was also an enthusiastic traveler visiting his favorite locales both in the US and abroad. Highlights of his travels included a lengthy trip across Europe with stops in London, Sweden and even a ride on the Orient Express. Eddie also indulged his love of Mexican Food with frequent trips to El Paso and Juarez, Mexico where the waiters came to know him by name.

And of course, he loved working. After retiring from Bankston in 1997 he quickly returned to work; this time at Parking Company of America with his longtime friend Fred Baker where he finally fulfilled is dream of having an office downtown. He worked for Fred until his death.

After losing his wife Glenn Stone of 32 years to a long bout with Cancer, Eddie re-married in 1994 to Mynette Harding. Among the activities they enjoyed together, the highlights included trips to New York to enjoy Broadway shows and dinning at many of the city’s finest restaurants. In between their travels, they spent time at home in Dallas either cooking or sampling the best culinary fare that Dallas has to offer. Eddie also shared Mynette’s love of animals and rescued several dogs during their 17 years together in Dallas. They both enjoyed working out together at the Cooper Center which was founded by his longtime friend Dr. Kenneth Cooper.

In 2001, Eddie and Mynette joined a group of Republican volunteers organized by Martha Crowley and traveled to Washington D.C. to assist his old friend, President George W. Bush with the transition of the Presidential Student Correspondence Office and answer the President’s mail. (see Picassa Photo Album – Washington, May 2001)

Eddie belonged to many organizations including the Bill Decker Retired Deputy Sheriff’s Association, Texas Livestock Show Youth Auction Committee, Retired US Marine Corps Association, Jesuit Letterman’s Club, Knights of Columbus and American Institute of Wine and Food.

When he learned that he had cancer, he told his oldest daughter in his own colorful way, “Well, I’ve scratched with the chickens and soared with the Eagles. I’ve lived a full life.” As we reflect on his legacy, so many things come to mind…Faith, Loyalty, Family, Friends and of course he would tell you if he could, “I always did it my way!”

He is preceded in death by his wife, Juanita Glenn Stone (March 1987) and his son Anthony Joseph Stone (November 1961). He is survived by his brother Doug and wife Jo Ann Stone of Dallas, TX; his wife Mynette Harding Stone; his children: son Mike and Diane Stone of Portland, OR, daughter Judy and Ray Wylie Hubbard of Wimberley, TX, son Pat Stone of Ft. Meyers, FL, son Nick and Joanna Stone of Plano, TX, daughter Stacy and Steve Murphy of Canton, TX, grandchildren Brannin and Jacob Stone and Lucas Hubbard, great granddaughter Aubrey Mae Stone; nieces Cathy and Ronnie Greener, Therese Ryan, and Dee and Chris Cassell; nephews Dr. Tom and Cathy Stone, and Charlie Stone.

Pallbearers are Daryl Real, John Keith, Kit Williams, Paul Salos, Tom Turner and Fred Baker.

Visitation is Sunday, January 8, 2012 from 4:00 - 6:00pm and Vigil Service will be from 5:00 - 5:30pm at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home 7405 W. Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX 75225 phone 214-363-5401.

Funeral Services are Monday, January 9, 2012 at 10:00am at Christ the King Catholic Church, 8017 Preston Rd, Dallas, TX 75225 phone 214-365-1200.

If you wish to make a donation in Eddie’s memory, please send to:

The State Fair of Texas Youth Livestock Auction

P.O.Box 150009

Dallas, TX 75315