James Francis Stone Sr.

and the big bucks runs free, it

was my chosen time to leave, for

the Lord was calling me.

James “Babe” Stone of Merced,

California, answered his call

passing away peacefully at

home, Sunday, October 15, 2017

surrounded by his loving family.

Babe was born in Copperopolis,

California to Charles and

Catherine Stone, the 4th in a

family of six children.

In his younger days, he was a

gifted ball player, playing for the

minor league Modesto Reds in

the 1950s; he loved to fly finding

joy in “buzzing” the family home

in “Copper”; he was a beloved

American, who loved his country

and willingly signed up to serve

in the US Navy during World

War II, stationed in Hawaii

the day following D-Day; after

serving he returned to the hills

working in various trades from

mining to construction.

In 1976, a few years after

marrying his beloved Joy and

having his only son, Babe moved

the family to the “big city” of

Merced. There he took great

pleasure in driving truck for

Central Valley Beverage (Pepsi),

retiring after 20 years of making

wonderful memories and life long

friends with his truck driving

buddies. A lasting impression of

Babe was made when you first

shook his hand… that amazing

strength and love behind every

handshake continued thru his

final days. He loved time with

his family and friends, deeply

cherishing time spent with his

grandchildren and sharing his

passion for hunting, fishing

and trapshooting. If you were

fortunate to learn how to shoot

from Babe, you were taught by

the best!

Babe leaves behind his loving

wife of 50 years, Joy F Stone;

son and daughter-in-law, James

Jr. and KC Clendenin-Stone;

his cherished grandchildren

Robbie Hathaway and Kailey

Stone; great-grandson Sammy

Hathaway; his sister Kathleen

Santos of Lodi and sister-in-law,

Bonnie Evans of Spark, NV.

Awaiting Babe at heavens gate

is his brothers Charles, Howard

and Walt Stone and sister,

Rosalie Northington.

At Babe’s request a private

memorial was held in his honor.

The family extends a deep and

grateful thank you to the team

from Covenant Care Hospice

in Turlock for their loving care

and support, Nanci and Brenia

were truly our guiding angels.

In his memory the family

asks donations be considered

for Covenant Care Hospice of

Turlock.Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.