Harold Allen Stone

April 7, 1933 - November 20, 2011

Funeral services for Harold Allen Stone, 78, of Longview will be 12 noon Wednesday at Longview Missionary Baptist Church with Revs. Nathan Jones and Darrell Owens officiating under direction of Rader Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Rosewood Park. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 6 until 8 PM. Mr. Stone was born April 7, 1933 in Hempstead County, Arkansas and died Sunday, November 20, 2011 in Longview. He was a lifetime employee of Marathon Letourneau for 47 years. He was extremely dedicated to his work and even more dedicated to his family. He was a member of Longview Missionary Baptist Church and was a veteran of the United States Army. Harold lived his life in love and devotion to his family. He exhibited a quiet strength that drew people in and he established a family that continues that unwavering devotion to each other as his lasting legacy. He was unmatchable in his quick wit and one-liners and delighted in captivating audiences with his lively storytelling. He put smiles in the hearts and on the faces of everyone he met. He loved hunting and spending time outdoors; always working in the yard or on projects for his neighbors. He spent countless hours sharing these passions with his kids and grandkids. He spent his 57 year marriage honoring his wife, loving her unendingly; and his utmost joy was seeing his family together. He made everyone in the family believe they were his "favorite". As his family grew and multiplied over time, his joy increased. He loved being surrounded by nieces, nephews, and grandkids. He consistently modeled for his family what it means to serve others as an act of worship. Harold's personal relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was evident in the way he lived. He worked hard, he loved deeply, and he served joyfully. The life he lived and the way he loved will influence generations to come. During his time living in Arkansas, his love of music and entertainment was shared with the entire community as he and his wife hosted regular singings known as the Stoneridge Jamboree. This ministry brought together hundreds who enjoyed the fellowship and fun it provided. He is survived by his loving wife, Ann Stone; daughters and sons-in-law, Debbie and Mike Matte, Mary and Ray Wadzeck; son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Jeannene Stone; grandchildren, Krista Sullins and husband, David, Jared Stone and wife, Sarah and Dustin Matte. His sister, Helen Rowland and his brother, Homer Stone and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Pallbearers will be Roger Smithson, Donnie Denman, Ken Weir, Charles Brumfiel, Marcus and David Stone, Danny and Randy Youse. The family would like to thank Dr. Larry Frase and his staff at Texas Oncology-Longview Cancer Center, the staff at Mary Crowley Cancer Institute, Good Shepherd Medical Center Nursing Staff, the Beacon Hospice doctors and staff at Margaret's House, and a special thank you to his hospice nurse, Gary Lee. The family requests memorials to Margaret's House 5016 Gilmer Rd., Longview, TX 75605 or the Mary Crowley Cancer Research Center in Dallas, Texas.