ED STONE was born on July 30, 1931 to Lester and Cecile Stone in Amarillo, Texas. He passed away in Houston, Texas on October 17, 2009. Ed was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Mary Sturkie and Margaret Thibodeaux and a brother-in-law, Larry Flack. He is survived by his wife of forty-eight years, Betty Tom Flack Stone. He also leaves a son Brian Stone and wife Diane, and a daughter, Mindy Grooms and husband David. Also surviving are grandchildren Sam Stone, Evan Grooms, Rachel Grooms, Robert Stone, Davis Grooms and Katie Stone. Other surviving family members are brother-in-law P.L. Sturkie, brother-in-law Art Thibodeaux and wife Greta and brother-in-law Gordon Flack and wife Janie.In 1960, Ed married Betty, a girl he had known since grade school. The highlight of this marriage came in 1962 and 1965 when Brian and Mindy were born.Ed graduated from Amarillo High School in 1949 and received a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado in 1953. He furthered his education at the University of Texas with a Masters in Business Administration. Ed worked for Bechtel Engineering and Construction from 1970 until his retirement in 1998.Ed enjoyed family time, actively participating at Second Baptist Church and in the Beacon Bible Study Class, life with friends at our lake home on Lake LBJ, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, Yellowstone Academy, Boy's and Girl's Country, various professional organizations and driving the Jolly Trolley each Monday at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.A celebration of life service will be held in the sanctuary of Second Baptist Church at 6400 Woodway on Tuesday, October 20th at 11:00 a.m.The family would like to thank Ed's many friends and members of the Beacon Bible Study Class for their care and support during Ed's illness. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made to Yellowstone Academy, 3000 Trulley, Houston, Texas 77004.

Published by Houston Chronicle on Oct. 19, 2009.