BOBBY RAY STONE
July 10, 1935-Jan. 23, 2011
Retired Army Maj. Bobby Ray Stone went to be with his Lord Saturday evening at Wayne Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his family.
Major Stone was born in Roxboro, N.C., July 20 1935, to the late Arch and Eva Stone.
Major Stone entered the Army in 1952 at the age of 17. He served a combat tour in Korea from 1953 to 1954. He also served three combat tours in Vietnam between 1966 and 1971. Major Stone retired in 1975 with 23 years of service to his country.
While serving in the Army he was awarded two Good Conduct Medal awards, National Defense Service Medal 1st OLC, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, 2 Combat Infantry Badge awards, Vietnam Service Medal, Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star Medal with V device for Valor, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal 1st OLC (for heroism), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Army Commendation Medal with V device, Purple Heart, Republic of Korea Presidential Citation Badge and Commendation Ribbon with metal pendant.
Upon retiring, Major Stone became an avid farmer, while also operating a landscaping business.
He became an active volunteer with the American Red Cross, was a member of Goldsboro Downtown Lions Club and was an active contributor to Kitty Askins.
He was also a member of the VFW, American Legion, MOAA and the Loyal Order of the Purple Heart.
Major Stone was a giver, and never asked for anything in return.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Christine Brown Stone; his son, Bobby R. Stone Jr. and wife, Julie, of Goldsboro; three daughters, Teresa Darlene Hinnant and husband, Bernie, of Goldsboro, Pamela Valdez and husband, Luiz, of Greene County and Crystal Stone Bergner and husband, Jerry, of Chapel Hill; his grandchildren, Corey Yancy, Bobby R. Stone III, Nicole Whalen and husband, Michael, Clarissa Adams, Alex Adams, Katherine Hinnant, Blake Stone, David and Laura Bergner, Leslie Penkala and Kenny Wertz; and great-grandchildren, Isaiah Yancy, Jesse James Cruz and Bobby R. Stone IV.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Jack Stone.
He is also survived by five brothers and three sisters, including a very special sister, Patsy Carver and her husband, Hal, and a devoted canine companion, Oscar.
Visitation will be held at Seymour Funeral Home Monday from 7 to 9 p.m.
A funeral service, with the Rev. Steve Holder officiating, will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. also at the funeral home, with graveside services to follow with full military honors at Pikeville Cemetery.
The family will be home at 203 Coburn Drive at other times.
Flowers are welcome or, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Kitty Askins Hospice Center, 107 Handley Park Court, Goldsboro, N.C., 27534, or the American Red Cross, 600 N. George St., Goldsboro, N.C., 27530.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on January 24, 2011 1:48 PM