Raymond Solon Stone's Obituary
Raymond Solon Stone
Raymond Solon Stone, born to Solon and Lela Stone September 20, 1925, went to be with his heavenly Father February 4, 2008. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend.
Raymond grew up in Sabine where he graduated from Sabine High School in 1941. He attended Kilgore Junior College the following year. In 1943 he enlisted in the Navy. While in the Navy he played football for the Corpus Christi Naval Station. In 1946 he returned to Kilgore where he continued his education. While at Kilgore College he played on the Little Rose Bowl team. He was the first player from KC to be chosen for the All-American team. He continues to hold records at KC. He also played basketball while attending KC. He was a member of the KC State Champion team and All-State. He was inducted into the Kilgore College Hall of Fame in 2005. During his time at Kilgore he met and married his soul mate, Bebe Andrews. They married July 16, 1949. Once married, Raymond and Bebe moved to Austin, Texas so Raymond could continue his education at the University of Texas. While attending UT, Raymond naturally played football. He was red-shirted. As a UT Longhorn, Raymond played in the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. He was selected to play in the Blue-Gray Football Game in Montgomery, Alabama. Being the devoted wife she was, Raymond and Bebe spent their first Christmas in a hotel room without a tree.
After obtaining a bachelor's degree in kinesiology from UT, Raymond and Bebe moved back to Kilgore, Texas where they raised two children, Glenda and Gary. Raymond established a position as supervisor at Texas Eastman Chemical Company where he worked until his retirement in 1986. Raymond was a devoted husband and loving father. He was a member of Forrest Home Baptist Church serving as a deacon for many years.
After retirement, Raymond loved to work in his berry patch and garden. He loved to do woodwork building his bird houses and various pieces of furniture. Raymond and Bebe spent many summers going to the lake camping with friends and family. Raymond enjoyed meeting the guys for coffee and celebrating their birthdays together. Being with the coffee bunch was a special time for him.
Raymond was preceeded in death by his parents, two brothers, and one child.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Bebe of Kilgore, daughter Glenda Reid and husband Arthur Lynn of Kilgore, son Gary Stone and wife Jennifer of Longview, 3 grandsons Kasey Reid, Brantson Stone, and Chase Stone, 2 granddaughters, Robyn Nettles and husband Alan, and Copper Points. He was blessed with 3 great-grandsons, 2 sister-in-laws, Betty Stone of Baltimore, Maryland and Marvis Strickland of Katy, Texas and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Raymond will be missed dearly by all of those who knew him.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday February 5, 2008 from 5pm until 7 pm.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at Rader Funeral Home Chapel, 1617 Judson Rd, Longview with Rev. Byron Allen officiating. Private entombment will follow at Lakeview Mausoleum.
The family asks that memorials to their favorite charities be made.
The family would like to acknowledge the staff of Highland Pines Nursing Center for your compassion and sincerity during our time of need. A special thank you to Mary Nash for giving us comfort and staying by his side.
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