Eugene Taylor Stone

Eugene Taylor “Gene” Stone, 66, of Stuart, died Friday, January 30, 2015, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC. He was born on August 17, 1948, to Linwood Anderson Stone, Sr. and Grace Christine Marshall Stone.

Gene was employed with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation as a Park Ranger at Fairy Stone State Park for 33 years. He volunteered with numerous organizations working to improve equine trail access and recreational riding. Gene served as President of the Virginia Quarter Horse Association and dedicated his time to the Virginia Horse Council and the Virginia State 4-H Horse Program.

Gene was a member of the Freemasonry, which is the world’s oldest and largest fraternal organization. He was raised a Master Mason September 18, 1980, with Bassett Lodge 214 and serviced as Worshipful Master with Bassett Lodge in 1984. In 1987, he serviced as Worshipful Master with the Mountain Home Lodge 263 in Stuart, VA. Gene demitted in 2002.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Carolyn Harrison Stone.

Surviving are his daughters, Marie Elizabeth Stone of Stuart, VA and Melissa Gail Stone and husband, Joseph Theodore Bower of Baltimore, MD, brothers, Linwood A. Stone, Jr. and wife, Nancy and Henry Clayton Stone and wife, Sandra both of Collinsville, VA, granddaughter, Kayleigh Grace Baliles, nieces, Kathy Stone Vernon and husband, Dennis of Pleasant Grove, VA and Cheryl Stone Merriman and husband, Tim of Collinsville, VA and several great nieces and great nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, February 15, 2015, from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM at Fayerdale Hall Conference Center, Fairy Stone State Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to support the Virginia 4-H Horse Program through the Virginia Tech Foundation. Memorials may be sent to Barbara Martin, CALS Development Office (0402), Hutcheson Hall Suite 216, 250 Drillfield Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061 or made online at https://webapps.es.vt.edu/givingto/academic/gift. Please designate your gift to the Gene Stone Memorial Fund.

Arrangements are by Collins Funeral Home, Bassett, VA

To express condolences online, please visit www.collinsmckeestonebassett.com