James Douglas Stone

It is with heavy hearts that our family has to share the passing of James Douglas Stone. James (“Jim” or “J.D.”) valiantly battled Alzheimer’s disease for over 10 years and succumbed to its complications on Memorial Day. His devoted wife and four loving daughters were at his bedside at the time. He was 80 years old.

Jim was the third generation born in Hamilton, Ohio, to Leona Hartman Stone and Reginald Alfred Stone (who retired as a Captain of the Hamilton Police Department, Ohio). He moved to Fullerton, California, when he was 15 years old and graduated from Fullerton High School in 1960. He then attended Fullerton Jr. College while working. He married Virginia L. Rettig and were blessed with his first two daughters, Christina and Deborah. They in turn gave him 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

In 1967, Jim proudly became a Police Officer for the Anaheim Police Department and later promoted to Police Sergeant. He had an illustrious career working in many facets of the Department including Patrol, Special Enforcements, Homicide, Robbery, and Community Services. He was Sergeant in charge of the Anaheim Police Department’s largest Narcotics Bureau. He also was a member of the Anaheim Police Department’s first S.W.A.T. team.

Jim remarried in 1975 to Marcia D. Russell who was also a Patrol Officer/Detective for the Anaheim Police Department. He again was blessed with two more daughters, Tiara and Tiffany, as well as, two more granddaughters from Tiffany.

While Jim was a Police Sergeant, he attended Western State University law school passing the State Bar in 1982. He left the police department and became a successful Criminal Defense Trial Attorney, practicing for 32 years.

Jim was an avid sports fan. He loved NFL and college football, and was a Boston Celtic basketball fan. He also enjoyed playing golf and tennis, and during the winter he loved to go skiing. He loved dogs and dogs loved him. He rescued 3 dogs and was so happy to give them forever homes.

Jim is survived by his wife, Marcia, 4 daughters, Christina (Thomas) Gorman, Deborah (Les) Gogerty, Tiara Stone, and Tiffany (Bradley) Campbell, 8 grandchildren, Rhiannon (Henry), Molly, Samantha, Ryan, Keegan, Ashley, Kinsley and Oakley, 2 great grandchildren (Henry and Olivia), and his niece, Roslyn Hawkins.

Jim’s Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, August 6th, at 2:00 p.m. at the Pacific View Memorial Park Chapel, 3500 Pacific View Drive, Corona del Mar, CA 92625. A reception will follow & details given at the Celebration. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest that any charitable donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org in memory of James Stone.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pacificviewcalifornia.com for the Stone family.