Christ on Friday, December 24, 2021. Ken was born on January 11, 1935, in San Antonio, TX, to William Howard and Beatrice Stone. His siblings were older brother, William Jr. and younger sister, Jo Lynn. While growing up in St. Louis, MO, Kenneth became a gymnast in high school and won first place in the St. Louis City championship and first place in the state championship, as well. After high school Kenneth served in the U.S. Army at Fort Belvoir, VA. He attended the University of Illinois and became part of the men’s gymnastic team, which won the national gymnastic championships from 1954-1955. During his tenure at college, Kenneth put his faith in Jesus Christ, which greatly altered the course of his life, impacted his education, service to his country, and lifelong career. He became an active member of Illini Christian Fellowship. While at the University of Illinois, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He then went on to receive a master’s degree in Bible from Columbia Bible College, and a doctorate degree in
school administration from Florida State University. he received Christian training with the Navigators and became a Youth for Christ Counselor in Alexandria, VA. Kenneth met and married Jocelyn Ittermann on December 21, 1963 in Polk City, Florida. Afterwards, he took a unique teaching position that permitted him to teach Bible classes in a public high school in Bluefield, West Virginia. Although he had planned to eventually become a missionary, while Kenneth attended missionary training school in Philadelphia he realized the mission field was not the calling God had placed on his life. From there, he became a teacher and principal in Christian schools. He served the Lord full time in Christian schools, three years as a teacher and twenty-six years as an administrator, principal or superintendent, primarily in the Southeastern United States, including Shiloh Christian School in Springdale, AR. During his time as a principal, he taught as a seminar leader for the Association of Christian Schools International.
Kenneth’s witness for Christ continued beyond the school setting. He served as a Billy Graham
Counselor, taught Sunday school, served as a chaplain on many cruise ships, and later as a
Compassion Center Counselor. He also spoke and led worship at Butterfield Trail in Fayetteville
weekly, and in retirement visited local hospitals and nursing homes, on behalf of Cross Church
in Springdale. Kenneth was a loving husband, dedicated father to his son and daughter, and devoted grandfather to his four grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jocelyn Joy Ittermann Stone; his daughter Joy Lynette Rhodes and her husband Dr. Jeffrey Dee Rhodes, along with grandchildren Joshua and Johnathan and wife Bailey Rhodes, his son David and wife Kristin Stone, grandchildren Madelyn and Christopher.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.RollinsFuneral.com for the Stone family.
