James Stone

WINTER HAVEN -- Mr. James E. "Boxhead" Stone developed an interest in sports while caddying for golfers in Nashville, Tenn. "He started out caddying at Shelby Golf Course in Nashville, and when he would get through, whoever he was caddying for, they would show him how to play golf," said Louise Stone, his wife of 52 years. "He was an avid golfer, she said. "He made a 69 on his 69th birthday. He was a big sports man." Mr. Stone, a retired teacher, coach and middle school principal for the Polk County School District, died of complications of cancer Saturday (June 11, 2005) at Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale. He was 81. He was born in Nashville, Tenn., on March 29, 1924. He was a Navy veteran of World War II. Mr. Storm graduated from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn., where he was an All American in basketball and was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He received his master's degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville and began his career as an educator at Donelson High School in Nashville where he was a coach. After coming to Winter Haven in 1957, he worked for the Polk County School District from 1957 to 1984, retiring from Denison Junior High School. "The first school he came to and one of his favorite ones was the grammar school in Wahneta. He was their phys-ed teacher," Louise Stone said. She noted that her husband was very knowledgeable of sports stats. "You could ask him when so-and-so hit so-andso, and he could tell you who it was and when they did. "He was a kind, gentle man." Mr. Stone played basketball for the city league and was a referee for several years. He was a member of the Elks Club in Winter Haven. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Winter Haven. In addition to his wife, Louise Stone, Mr. Stone is survived by his daughters, Sandy Drew, Candy Rambeau and Sherri Cook, all of Winter Haven; brothers, Vernon "Cookie" Stone, and Clarence "Buddy" Stone, both of Nashville; four grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren. Visitation will be from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday at Calvary Baptist Church, 2101 Overlook Drive S.E., Winter Haven. Memorial services will follow at 5 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave., Auburndale, FL 33823. Crisp-Coon Funeral Homes Inc., Winter Haven.