Charles (Dick) Richard Stone, Sr, 75, died suddenly on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at Plantation Village, where he had been a resident since 2008. His devoted and loving wife, Leanne Anderson Stone preceded him to the Lord five years earlier, and his faithful dog, Topper, preceded him two years earlier.
Dick is survived by a sister, Norma (Stone) Briner and husband Bill in Cincinnati, Ohio; son Charles R. Stone, Jr., and wife Trish of Wilmington, NC; daughter Carol L. Stone, and husband Steve Johnson of Burlington, CT; son Edward A. Stone, and wife Ann of Bernardsville, NJ; son Thomas D. Stone, and wife Karen, of Round Hill, VA; and eleven grandchildren.
Born in Berea, Ohio on June 7, 1933, and the son of two teachers, Hilda and Charles Stone, Dick attended high school in Poland, Ohio, and earned a bachelors degree in business administration from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1955. After serving in the Air Force through its ROTC program, Dick started his business career selling Crest toothpaste as a door-to-door salesman. Four children, six moves, and 35 years later, Dick culminated his career as a corporate executive officer, having worked at Proctor & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Laboratories, American Cyanamid, American Sterilizer, Squibb, and Lederle Laboratories. He achieved each career success with modesty, character, and unwavering respect for his employees.
At the age of 58, Dick and Lee retired to Hampstead, NC, where, despite the lure of relaxing and peaceful days on the beach, Dick decided to start a business. He and Leanne invested their retirement savings into an AlphaGraphics franchise in Wilmington, NC, and, together with his oldest son, Chuck, grew the business into a successful and established company. The business continues to operate as All Ways Graphics, serving the greater Wilmington community.
A memorial service will be held at 2 PM on Saturday May 23, 2009 at Sea Lawn Memorial Park, in Hampstead, NC.
Instead of flowers, please send contributions in his name to the American Cancer Society.
Wilmington Burial and Cremation Service, 1553 S 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403 910.791.9099
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