James Hiram Stone

STONE--James Hiram. Founder and Chairman of Stone Energy Corporation, Lafayette, LA, and sportsman of New Orleans and Houston, died peacefully surrounded by his wife and six children on January 14, 2008. Born in New York City in 1925, son of Isabel Greenbaum and Jacob C. Stone, he is survived by his wife, Joelle Rogers, brothers Robert L. (Sheila) of Williamstown, MA. and Donald (Jean) of Scarsdale, NY, sons Andrew (Katie) of Albuquerque, Thomas (Robin) of Steamboat Springs, CO, and James R. of New Orleans, daughters Suzanne of Santa Fe, NM, Margaret of Chicago, and Elizabeth H. of New Orleans, and eight grandchildren. He attended the Harvey School, and graduated from Deerfield Academy and Williams College. During WWII he served in the US Marine Corps as a Lieutenant in the First Marine Division in the Pacific. Following college he worked for the oil department of Lehman Brothers. While studying geology at Texas A.&M., he was recalled by the Marine Reserves during the Korean conflict, discharged from the service as a Captain. He married Elizabeth Asbury, settled in Cincinnati and established The Stone Oil Company there in 1952. The company went public on The New York Stock Exchange as Stone Energy Corporation in 1993. In the early 1970s he was involved in the urban renewal of the downtown business district of Cincinnati in joint venture with John Galbraith through the Cincinnati Redevelopment Corporation. Through his wife's family he developed a life-long interest in thoroughbred breeding and racing. Notable successes included Ardross, winner of The Gold Cup in England, and in partnership with Arthur B. Hancock III, Menifee, winner of the Blue Grass Stakes and second in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 1999. Living in New Orleans since 1981, he served as a director of the Hibernia National Bank of New Orleans and Newpark Resources, and was a founder of The D-Day Museum, now known as The National World War II Museum. He retained his association with the Marine Corps as a founding member and director of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation in Quantico, VA and as a board member of the Toys For Tots Foundation. In New Orleans he also served on the Business Council of New Orleans and the River Region and was a past trustee of the Tulane Medical Center, The New Orleans Museum of Art, the New Orleans Symphony and the New Orleans Opera Association. Additionally, he served as a director of the NFL Rams. His club affiliations included the Krewe of Hermes of which he served as King in 1994, The New Orleans Country Club and The Reading Room in Saratoga, NY. For over 60 years he maintained a strong and lasting connection to Williams College as alumnus, active committee member, donor, and father and grandfather of five graduates. There will be a private burial. Memorial contributions are suggested to The National World War II Museum, 945 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70130, or Toys for Tots Foundation, P.O. Box 1947, Quantico, VA 22134.