Recalling to my minds eye the cherished memories of Ruth and Stoney the tears roll down my cheeks.  It hurts my heart... they are bittersweet these memories because Ruth and Stoney are greatly missed and because these memories are reminders of how quickly life flees for us each one and then we too will be gone.  Not many nowadays  leave the rich heritage that Uncle Stoney and Aunt Ruth left behind them.  They took me to church and Sunday School with their family, Uncle Stoney always found time for rides on his tractor, they  taught me to water ski, Aunt Ruth took the time to  help me sew my first blouse, I watched her make countless pies, I followed her up and down the rows of cloths line as she hung up laundry, Uncle Stoney helped me pick out stickers from off my bare feet after running through "sticker hill" with Frank and Larry...and then we'd go sit in the green swing under the apple tree.  Cherished memories and I give the Lord all the praise.  They now rest together... lives well-lived which touched so many others, I was one of those .  My love to my cousins so dear to my heart, their spouses,  and their children and grandchildren,  Ruthie, RuthAnn  or Ruthie Ann  

  

"They were always there", Ruth and Stoney.  They were an important part of my life growing up.  I loved them then and do still.    The back door was always open and many times an apple or apricot pie  was on the kitchen table.   I spent many summers with Ruth and Stoney and loved going to Sunday School and Church with them and my cousins at the Baptist Church in Oakley.  
The path was well trod that ran between Ruth and Stoney's house and  Frank and Merle's' house.  Off that path to the right of the well house was the ol' wood swing that Uncle Stoney made in high school and it sat underneath a green apple tree.   Many a time  I sat and found shade and comfort in that ol' swing.  One time I was crying and Uncle Stoney walked by and sat down, patted me on the shoulder, and said, "It will be alright, Ruthie."   And because Uncle Stoney said it, IT WAS...in my child's heart.
Hope to see you in heaven, Uncle Stoney, in the shade of an apple tree,
Ruthie


The apple tree is gone and the ol' swing, it plum wore out and has been gone for years, but the kind heart of my Uncle Stoney and his memory will remain in my heart as long as breath remains in me.

I first met Stoney and Ruth 55 years ago, while dating his niece, whom I eventually married. It was a privilege to marry into their family and was always treated like one of their family. Spent quite a bit of time with Stoney and his family, while they were growing up. Our children still remember and talk about some of the visits we had with them. He was a man's man, without trying to be. We hunted some, fished some and talked a lot. It's amazing what ya' learn out on the water, for several hours.  Stoney lived a long and fruitful life. He led a life and left a legacy that most men can only dream about. He was a positive "Role Model" before we ever knew what that was, having a positive impact on so many boys and men. I will always remember and cherish the times we spent together. He will be missed.

My Uncle Stoney will truly be missed. He and Aunt Ruth have become the patriarch/matriarch of our family on my mother's side. His wife was one of ten siblings who grew to adulthood during the Depression years of the 1930s-1940s, and each established his/her own family. I had 35 first cousins. As years passed and these original ten people began passing away, somehow Ruth and Stoney survived into their 90s (he was 96 and Ruth is 94) and celebrated 70 + years of marriage. And they were always there to say kind words and give support to relatives in numerous ways.  
Stoney lived a full life. He met Ruth in high school, I believe. They married, and he went to war. During WWII he became part of the Burma Bridge Busters. They had a ranch where many family get togethers took place...ah, the way to control too many rambunctious kids was to let them run off their steam on the acres of almond trees he grew and at that old barn way back on the property. But I remember other fruits and vegetables grown on their ranch, too. And they raised five children, were involved with nieces and nephews, too, even before their grandchildren (and ggrandchildren and gggrandchildren) came along. They gave so much love.  
Words are inadequate. He was a good man, through and through. I will miss him, and I will never forget his smile. He was someone you meet in life who made a difference, someone you were proud to know.
Bev Brenneise

 Mr. Stonebarger planted the seeds of  humility, determination and grit in his family.  It was an honor and a privilege to be a friend, teammate and an employee of the sons of Gene Stonebarger.  
May God Bless.


OBITUARY

Gene Bolton Stonebarger

November 4, 1922 – January 7, 2019

Brentwood Funeral Home

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