John R. Stone
Published 11:35 am Thursday, February 18, 2016
John R. Stone
February 15, 2016
John R. Stone, 98, a retired forester, passed away on Monday, February 15, 2016, at Ogeechee Area Hospice in Statesboro, Ga.
Born in Clyde, NY, on October 24, 1917, John was the son of Earl and Alison Stone. He received a degree in forestry from Syracuse University in 1939, and then was employed by the International Paper Company until his retirement in 1980. He served in the U. S. Army during World War II and was stationed in Iceland.
John was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Emily, in 2005, soon after their 64th anniversary, and by his siblings, Earl Stone III, Virginia Stone Baldridge and Guthrie Stone.
John is survived by his sons, David Stone (Ann) of Statesboro, and Pete Stone (Susan) of Converse, Louisiana; daughters Marty McCutchen (Bill) of Pryor, Oklahoma, and Alison McLean (Bruce) of Statesboro; nineteen grandchildren; twenty-seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
John loved the outdoors, was an expert fisherman and longtime member of the Society of American Foresters. Into his nineties, he chopped his own firewood, maintained a productive garden, tended his vineyard and crafted muscadine wine, and enjoyed woodworking in his shop. In Bainbridge, Ga., he was well known as “The Walking Man”, as he walked five miles each day along Highway 97. He was a coin collector and he loved to watch football and baseball. Most of all, John and Emily loved their extended family – the “Stonekin” – and eagerly anticipated and thoroughly enjoyed many family gatherings. He was a wonderful man and a superb example of strength, generosity, love, and kindness for his whole family. He truly represented “The Greatest Generation”.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday afternoon at 2 pm at Joiner Anderson Funeral Home with Rev. Bill Bagwell officiating. The family will greet friends and family following the service.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Gentilly Gardens, where John had lived amongst many new friends since May 2014.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Ogeechee Area Hospice, P. O. Box 531, Statesboro, GA 30459, to Bainbridge First United Methodist Church, 300 W. Shotwell St, Bainbridge, GA 39819, or to Pittman Park United Methodist Church, 1102 Fair Road, Statesboro, GA 30458.
Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com.
Joiner Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory of Statesboro is in charge of arrangements.