Dr. Melvin Stone

Mel was born May 17, 1944, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Jack and Adelle Stone. At Cleveland Heights High School he was president of the student council and played varsity tennis. He went on to The Ohio State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in anatomy in 1966 and his M.D. from the Ohio State College of Medicine in 1970. A Buckeye to the end, he liked to quote Carmen Ohio, “How firm thy friendship, O-H-I-O” and could be counted on for a “Go Bucks!”

He began his postgraduate training at the University of Florida as an intern and resident in internal medicine from 1970 to 1972. From 1972 to 1974 he served in the U.S. Air Force at McCoy Air Force Base in Orlando as a medical officer, entering as a Captain and receiving an honorable discharge as a Major. He returned to Gainesville for a residency in diagnostic radiology at UF Health Shands Hospital, University of Florida, and served as chief resident from 1976 to 1977. Mel always said he considered Dr. Jape Taylor, Dr. Herb Kerman, and Dr. Keith Eardley as his mentors.

In 1977 Mel moved to Ormond Beach and joined Radiology Associates of Daytona Beach. He practiced diagnostic radiology there for the rest of his career, affiliated with Halifax Health Medical Center, and served as president of the practice from 1990 to 2015. Mel found purpose and reward at Radiology Associates which became one of his greatest passions. After a lifetime in medicine, he was very proud of what it has become today from its local beginning. He considered it his second family, and took pride in helping grow the practice alongside his partners, colleagues, and everyone he worked with along the way. He remained active in the American College of Radiology and the Florida Radiological Society, and in recognition of his contributions he was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Radiology (FACR). He retired in 2022, after 45 years advocating for careful, practical patient care.

While both were students, Mel met Rebecca "Becky" Kaufman in Columbus in 1968 when she was in nursing school. He liked to say he could not eat or sleep afterward. They married in 1972. Mel was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Adelle Stone, and by his brother, Dr. Bernard Stone. He is survived by Becky, his wife of 54 years; his daughter, Terah Stone; his son, Jaron Stone; and his granddaughter, Louison Lagarde. Louison sent many of her dance videos to him and watching them brought him much happiness and comfort in his final days. He would often say that he was proud she inherited his moves from him. Mel truly valued time spent with his friends and family.

He also loved his animals, and the home always included dogs, cats, and even a ferret. He left a word of thanks, and a “see you on the other side,” for all of them but especially Pugslee, Baby Boo, and Gatinha.

He loved movies, most of all High Noon, Stalag 17, Gone with the Wind, Ordinary People, Forrest Gump, Green Book, and Defending Your Life. He also loved music, and his favorites included Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, James Brown, B.B. King, the Temptations, Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Tina Turner, Queen, and Eric Clapton. “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” was a particular favorite, and he often repeated Louis Armstrong’s line, “And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.”

In keeping with his wishes, a private family graveside service was held on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Volusia Memorial Funeral Home and Park in Ormond Beach. Online condolences may be shared at dignitymemorial.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice or to the Halifax Health Foundation at halifaxhealth.org.