Donald Stone

Donald Stone

Don Stone, 88, found peace when he passed away October 19, 2020, in Chico, with family at his side. He and his wife, Judith Stone, joyfully celebrated 60 years of marriage earlier this year. Born in Durango, CO, Don’s love of sports started at a young age with All-State basketball and football honors his senior year in high school followed by starting positions in both sports at Colorado College in Colorado Springs. In 1953, he began flight training with the U.S. Navy, a career that spanned nearly 22 years serving tours on five aircraft carriers and four years at the Pentagon. During this time, he completed his undergraduate work at the University of Maryland and later did postgraduate work at Chico State University. His quest for knowledge, particularly with words, equipped him with a wit that embellished moments with wonderful humor.

Retiring as a Lt. Commander, Don, with Judie, visited many Western towns before choosing Paradise, CA, to land with their four children and live for 20 years. He worked as a financial advisor in Paradise and served on the Paradise Irrigation District board. A Colorado boy at heart, Don’s love for the mountains led them to the Lake Tahoe area for five years before heading to Oregon. They had a fond return to Chico this year where he spent his final months. The family home in Paradise, purchased by Byron Stone and family from his parents, was lost in the Paradise fire two years ago.

Don’s favorite ways to spend his time included playing (and winning) sports and card games, being the number one fan for his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, walking his quirky but beloved Bassett hounds on the Feather River flume, traveling the country in a very big car, and cheering on his 49ers. Most of all, Don loved his family and their numerous family gatherings and reunions, which culminated with a family reunion the summer of 2019 with his children, and many of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A private service will be attended by the family.

Don is survived by his wife, Judie Stone; sister, Wilma Wilcoxson; a son, Byron Stone (Kathy); three daughters, Ginger Piotter (Karl), Sheryl Lipski (Tom), and Brenda Daigle; 13 wonderful grandchildren, Jennifer Ream (Tyler), Ariel Piotter, Anthony Piotter (Sahar), Chris Lipski, Mathew Lipski, Victoria Lipski, Blaine Stone, Nicole Stone, Natalie Stone, Sydney Johansen, Lindsay Daigle, Lauren Lindloff (Andrew), and Nicole Hairfield (Austin); and four beautiful great-grandchildren, Odin and Freyja Piotter, and August and Jameson Lindloff.

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