Larry Roger Stone, 79, of Archer passed away on December 29th at North Florida Regional Hospital. He grew up in the Des Moines, Iowa area where he married his high school sweetheart, Rosalie Stewart. They were married for 61 years. Larry is survived by his wife Rosalie Stone; daughter Beverly Stone of Carrollton TX, son Doug and wife Sita Stone of Corpus Christi TX and Keri (Chardi) Stone of Gainesville, FL. He had 6 grandchildren: Morgan Chardi, Kalani Stone, Kyle Chardi, Savannah Stone, Sarah Stone and Emma Stone, and 1 great-granddaughter, Alice Orton(mother Morgan Chardi). He has numerous nieces and nephews and other extended family throughout the country.
He was predeceased by his parents, Edgar and Elizabeth Stone, brothers Jerry and Tucker Stone and sister Betty Hunter.
Larry graduated from Des Moines Technical High School, then worked supporting his family while attending Drake University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He was a CPA who worked at U.S. Steele in Chicago, then moved his family to Denver, CO in 1967 where he began his career at the Gates Rubber Company. He worked there 28 years in multiple positions, and came to the Gainesville area in 1991 as Vice President/Controller of Gates Energy Products, Inc. During his years at Gates, he traveled extensively internationally, throughout Asia and Europe.
After retirement, he and Rosalie spent summers in Granby, Colorado enjoying the mountains with family and friends. They enjoyed years of traveling in their Airstream RV to all but 5 states including 2 extensive trips exploring Alaska. All of the grandchildren experienced travelling with them in their RV to such locations as Mt Rushmore, Yellow Stone National Park, FL/TX beaches, Rocky Mountains and Alaska. They visited Japan, China, Europe, New Zealand and Australia in their retirement.
They are members of Archer United Methodist Church; He was devoted to his family and friends, and will be greatly missed by them.
Funeral services for Larry will be held at Archer United Methodist Church at 11:00 on Saturday, January 3, 2015 with interment to follow in Forest Meadows Memorial Park Central. The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 5:00pm-7:00pm at the Forest Meadows Funeral Home.
Uncle Larry has been part of my world from Day One, and it’s hard to imagine him here no longer. I have so many memories, so many good things that could be said. No doubt that’s true for many others, but for none more so than his family. To Rosalie, Bev, Doug, Keri and families (especially the grandchildren and great-granddaughter who meant so much to him), David and I send our love and greatest sympathies.
Keri and family,
I am at a loss of words in the loss of your father. From everything I have read in comments about him I know he will be gravely missed by all. May you have some comfort and peace over the next few days and feel the presence of God as you go through this difficult time.