Reed L. Stone

West Point, 1955

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Austin American Statesman on December 15, 2009:

Reed Lewis Stone was born in Martinsville, Virginia, on February 26, 1934, and died peacefully in Austin, Texas, on December 12, 2009. Reed was the oldest of four sons born to John Harold and Elma Stone. Reed spent his early years at home in Bassett, Virginia, where he started working at the age of eight in his father's grocery store, standing on a drink crate selling soft drinks and ice cream cones. At the age of thirteen he became a student at Fork Union Military Academy and graduated in 1950. The following year he attended Virginia Military Institute and then entered the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated in 1955 with a commission in the U.S. Air Force. His first assignment was pilot training at Moore Air Base in Mission, Texas, followed by completion of pilot training at Laredo Air Force Base. It was in Laredo that Reed met a U.T. student named Roberta Love who was home for the summer. They would marry on September 6, 1958. Reed and Roberta's military assignments include graduate school at the University of Michigan ('59-'61), Space and Missile Systems Div., Los Angeles, CA ('61-'65) and ('70-'76), instructor USMA ('65-'68), RVN ('68-'69), and Professor Air Science, Purdue University ('78-'81). Reed retired from the Air Force in 1981 and relocated to Austin where he lived until his death. His military decorations include the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Meritorious Service Medal. Reed is survived by his wife of fifty-one years, Roberta. Daughter Tracy and husband Reinold Cornelius and their son Derek and daughter Eva, all of Austin. Son Lewis and fiance Tracy Hill of Austin. Younger son Reed, wife Luz, and daughters Sierra and Sophia of Round Rock. Reed's three brothers, John Harold Jr., Oliver, and Russell live in Virginia. Reed was a long time member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, where he served as an usher. His activities and interests in Austin included membership in Northwest Austin Rotary Club for 25 years, ACES, the Kaypro Club, owner/manager of Pond Springs Econo Storage, and golf. His family and friends will miss him. Cause of death was pancreatic cancer first discovered on April 11, 2008. We thank the friendly doctors, nurses, and staff, at Texas Oncology, for helping Reed achieve a year and a half of quality life following diagnosis. We also thank the staff at Seton Northwest for their kindness and care. The family will receive friends Monday December 14, 2009, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., at Weed- Corley-Fish Funeral Home North Lamar. Funeral Services are 2:00 p.m., Tuesday December 15, 2009, at Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. Interment will follow at Austin Memorial Park. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.

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