Raymond Stone

Ray was born on September 15, 1946 in Duluth, Minnesota. His early childhood was spent in the Iron Range area of Northern Minnesota. He and his family moved to Newton, Iowa in 1957 and he graduated from Newton High School where he lettered in football and wrestling. Following high school, he attended United Electronics Institute in Des Moines and started his 37 year career with Phillips 66.
Ray married Karyn Barker on November 26, 1966 and they spent the next 42 years raising their four children. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America where he participated in many camp outs with his son Mark and the other boys in Troop 85. Ray was very proud of his children and bragged about their accomplishments. He loved them unconditionally.
Ray was an avid skeet shooter, hunter and fisherman, passing along his love of these activities to his son. He particularly enjoyed his time with family and friends hunting on his father-in-law’s farm in Benton, Iowa.
Ray was a member of the Za Ga Zig Shrine and he took pleasure in cooking for many of their fundraisers for Shiner’s Hospital for Children. He participated each year in the Shriner’s fishing trip – always returning with grand stories of the big fish that got away. Ray was also a member of the New Pioneer Gun Club.
Ray may be best known for his ability to keep people in stitches with his many stories, some true, but most stretched “a little”. It took only the slightest encouragement from his friends to keep him going for hours. God forgive him, he is probably on a story or Ole and Lena joke telling roll right now!
Ray is survived by his wife, Karyn and his children: Monica (Steve Repertinger) Stone of San Francisco, CA; Mark Stone, Malinda (Kevin) Thomas and Michelle Marchesano, all of Des Moines. He also has three grandchildren who he adored: Nicholas and Emily Thomas and Allie Marchesano.
In addition, he is survived by his brothers and sister, Leonard “Rob” (Mary) Stone of Kensington, MD; Jim (Gay) Stone of Ames, IA; Tom (Judy) Stone of University Park, IA; Barbara (Gary) Park of Dallas Center, IA; his mother-in-law, LaViece Barker of Mt. Ayr, IA and brothers and sisters-in- law: Garold and Barbara Canny of Montgomery, TX; David and Carol Barker of Des Moines, IA; Dan and Jeannie Barker of Benton, IA; Lana and Dick Gibson of St. Joseph, MO; and Larry and Rita Hunter of Redondo Beach, CA, along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Lois (Pommerville) Stone, and his father-in-law, Clarence Barker.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue at the corner of NW 60th and 2nd avenue. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. prior to his service. Graveside services will held at 3:30 p.m. at Benton Cemetery in Benton, Iowa.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children
www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

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