Charles Richard Stone

June 6, 1933 - May 5, 2009
Charles Richard Stone

Memorial Gifts & Donations




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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  • May 14, 2009
    Eldridge Dodson says:
    I want to extend my condolences to Mr. Stone's family. Eldridge Dodson

  • May 12, 2009
    Deb GIbson says:
    Dear Chuck-I really got to know your dad over the past several months. He had a real sincere charm about him. He had made some friends here and will be missed. I know he is joyous and at peace to be with your Mother...he missed her so. Take care-Deb Gibson

  • June 03, 2009
    Al Hicks says:
    I worked with Dick at Weck Surgical (Squibb) at Research Triangle Park, and later north of Princeton, New Jersey. I remember Dick as a big personality with huge confidence and competence, a swagger about life that was contagious, and an equally infectious humor. I don't believe he ever encountered a day in which his zest for life failed. His style was challenging, and disarmingly honest, never bowing to more nervous standards of corporate behavior. For however long Dick Stone was going to be at a place of work, it was going to be purely as Dick Stone. However tough he appeared to be, he was guy who inspired confidence in those about him, and who was there as a stand-up guy during those life occasions when you really needed someone to back you up. I salute his joy for life, and the caring he had in common with Lee, whose passing was also a great loss. He will be missed and constantly remembered.

  • May 12, 2009
    Mark Hicks says:
    Dick was a fine honest man. I respected and admired him very much as a friend and fellow entreprenuer. I wish more people were like him.

  • May 12, 2009
    Bob Kozik says:
    Chuck, I am very sorry to hear the news of your dad. He was a good man and very professional to work with.