Thomas Stone

Thomas "Walter" Stone, 78, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, May 12, 2009, at Fountainbleau Lodge.

He was born April 23, 1931, in Oran, Mo., son of James and Sara Crider Stone. He and Geraldine Farrar were married June 22, 1957, in Cape Girardeau.

Stone was educated in Oran. He retired from the U.S. Air Force after serving 20 years, including stints in Africa, England, France, Iceland and the United States. He also owned Professional Fashion Uniforms in the Town Plaza. He was a member of St. Mary's Cathedral, VFW, American Legion, Elks, and a lifetime member of Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by his wife, Geraldine Stone of Cape Girardeau; a daughter, Barbara Whitlock and husband Larry of Gordonville; three sons, Tom Stone and wife Victoria of Cape Girardeau, Kenny Stone and Kim Stewart of Chaffee, Mo., Gary Stone and wife Lisa of Olathe, Kan.; a sister, Frances Storey of Rhode Island; nine grandchildren, Dustin Stone, Jessica Bates, Daniel Lance Stone, Kristin Thompson, Joey Thompson, Cassie Stone, Katie Stone, Mariah Stone, Benjamin Stone; and a great-grandson, Bronson Bates.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and a sister.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home. Parish prayers will be at 7, with Knights of Columbus rosary to follow immediately.

Funeral Mass will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Cathedral, with the Rev. Tom Kiefer officiating. Burial will be at 1 p.m. in Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield with full military rites conducted by Missouri Honors Team.