Raymond Stone

Dr. Raymond F. Stone was the only child born to Raymond G. Stone and Ellen M. Stone (Hill) on October 13, 1933 in Columbia, Missouri. Ray graduated from Southwest High School in Kansas City Missouri in 1951. He immediately began college and graduated with his Bachelor Degree in Biology from The University of Kansas City in 1954. He continued his education at Kansas University graduating as a Medical Doctor in 1958.

He entered the Navy in 1958 and received an honorable discharge in 1961. After the Military, he went into private practice for a short period. In 1968 he began working at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Kansas City Missouri. He transferred to El Paso, Texas in 1977 and retired from the VA in 1995.

In 1960, his first son, Randy, was born, followed in 1961, by his second son, Michael and in 1965, his daughter, Nancy, was born. Ray met Sandra in 1972 at the VA Hospital and they were married on November 4, 1972. Sandra had 3 children Russ, Diane and Jim creating a combined 6 children all within 5 years of each other.

Ray enjoyed traveling. There were numerous vacations with all 6 children, including trips to Florida, Wyoming, southern Missouri, camping, canoeing and rafting. He and Sandra went on many trips around the United States and numerous cruises and trips to other countries.

Ray had a great love of history, trains and animals. He continually added to his vast library, and had a great deal of interest in the Civil War. It was quite a task to try and win a game of Trivia Pursuit. Ray would often compete against the entire family , sometimes up to 15 or 20 people and he would still win (He would have been great on Jeopardy).

Ray loved Sandra with all his heart and spent nearly 45 years focusing on making her happy. Ray loved his 3 children, 3 step-children, 10 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He kept cards and papers from his family members in his desk and always loved to hear from them about what was going on in their lives. He was a great encourager and supporter always wanting more for his family.