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Randy Stone Obituary
Brock "Randy" Stone passed away on November 25, 2013 at the age of 69 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Brownsville, Texas June 27, 1944. He was a 1967 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. He enjoyed a long career at NASA, spanning Apollo, Apollo-Soyuz, Skylab, Space Shuttle, and International Space Station. He began his career in Landing and Recovery during the Apollo era, went on to become a flight director during the Apollo-Soyuz, Skylab, and Shuttle Programs, and later became the Director of Mission Operations. At the time of his retirement in 2004, Randy held the position of Deputy Center Director of the JohnsonSpaceCenter. Following his retirement, he served as Cimarron's President and Chief Operating Officer for several years. During his retirement years he enjoyed traveling with his wife, spending time with his grandchildren, fishing and hunting, and building and flying electric radio-controlled airplanes with his OFFC buddies. Randy also served on the board of JSC Federal Credit Union and was a longtime member of Clear Lake United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents Brock and Margaret Stone. Randy is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Susan Stone, and his daughters Kari Wilson and husband David, and Allison Campbell and husband Rob, as well as his six grandchildren and a host of family and friends. Visitation will take place on Monday December 2nd at Forest Park East Funeral Home from 5-8PM and a memorial service will be on Tuesday December 3rd at 10AM at Clear Lake United Methodist Church. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center for colon cancer research. http://www.mdanderson.org/gifts
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Memories and Condolences
for Randy Stone
Greg Lingle
December 27, 2013
Susan & Family, I just learned of Randy's passing while at my fathers this Christmas. Growing up Randy and Susan lived across the street from us in Clear Lake. As a NASA brat growing up, it was so awesome to have a neighbor that owned a Hobby Shop and loved to play with toys as much as I did. I remember him taking us to the Bowing parking lot to fly our toys as a child. I remember every time he got a new car or motorcycle showing it off to the neighborhood . I also recall the day he brought home his first daughter and how he went on and on about his new found fatherhood. As I read his obituary about his family and his time with his grandson hunting and fishing, it is so easy for me to picture that. He would often share wisdom, patients and kindness to me and my friends as a young boys growing up on Redway Lane. In my mind I picture him with a big smile, a cold beverage in his hand, a hat (usually an Aircraft Carrier) and a story of humor and adventure being shared with anyone near. As Ed Gibson wrote Randy was one of the good guys. Well to a young boy growing up in Clear Lake Mr. Stone was a cool guy! Our love and prayers to your family.
Don Rhorer
December 26, 2013
So sorry to hear of Randy's death. We were out of town for several weeks and missed the announcement and service. We first knew Randy and his family through church. Randy and his "brother" Hal Loden had a Model Shop in the Camino South Shopping Center. My son Kyle and I went in one day and with the help of Randy and Hal got started in flying model airplane via control lines. This was before radio control really became affordable. The control lines allowed you to fly in a 50 foot circle and have very precise control of the plane. Randy and Hal were always available for advice and encouragement. I was working for a NASA contractor, IBM and many NASA employees in all fields were involved. We learned a lot about airplanes and about NASA in the model flying club. My son ended up working for Cimarron and later Randy. I have often wondered how many kids and adults walked into that model shop and later worked for NASA!
How fortunate we are to have known Randy and have been affected by his caring touch on our community and his truly great leadership of NASA! Love to Susan and the whole family and friends.
Donna Blackshear-Reynolds
December 9, 2013
I will never forget Randy's laugh and how he shared how much he loved his family and looked forward to visiting them all over the globe. As the Business Manager for Mission Operations Directorate, and also as a fellow officer in NMA, I enjoyed working with Randy and very much appreciated his support to me personally in the pursuit of my career goals. He was a genuine person and great to work with! ...a leader we will miss greatly!
Donna Blackshear-Reynolds
amy briscoe-eagle
December 9, 2013
Thinking of you and your family.
Love, Amy Briscoe-Eagle
Rebecca and Mike Marsh
December 6, 2013
It is always hard to see someone that had life in them leave this earth. Randy truly had life in him. He is now with the Lord and can rest in peace. He will truly me missed by those who knew him in any way. His handshake of friendship was always genuine and always produced a smile in others. Loving prayers are with the family.
Ed Gibson
December 6, 2013
My sympathies are with the Stone family. I knew and admired Randy from the good ole days when we worked together in the Apollo control room and shared the same motorcycle parking area behind Bldg. 8. Randy was one of the good guys! He will be missed by many.
Ed Gibson
Cathe Conner
December 6, 2013
Thank you for all the education you provided me. You will be greatly missed. Prayers to the family
Lance Hostetter
December 6, 2013
Dear Stone family,
We are praying for you during this time of loss. I did not Randy, but he was deeply loved by many in of our church family. May God carry you during this time. In Christ love, Lance Hostetter Minister with Central Christian Church
Brownsville, Texas
Hershel Perkins
December 5, 2013
We miss you Stone.
Dottie Irwin Melko
December 5, 2013
Susan & family, my God bless you & hold you close during this time of loss of such an important person in your lives. I am thankful that he is out of pain & suffering. Having known & followed Randy since we were in the 3rd grade in Brownsville, he was still the same good guy he always was. You could always count on him. At our 50th Reunion, he still had my back, although it was on the risers for the group photo when I was poised between two of them, it was Randy who said to me, "I'll hold onto you so you don't fall". One of my favorite memories was of seeing him on TV pulling the astronauts out of the water when the space capsule landed!! That same smile I grew up knowing was so big & so genuine. Hands together for all of you.
Dottie Irwin Melko
[email protected]
Kelley Restemyer
December 4, 2013
So sorry for your loss. All of us who worked with Randy knew what a kind, thoughtful and honest man he was. He always had a kind word to say and a smile on his face. Randy also understood the importance of family to his employees. He allowed many of us moms to work part time in order to spend more time with our children while contributing to the space program as well. He will truly be missed. Prayers of comfort for you and your extended family.
Christine Chiodo
December 3, 2013
Randy was such a great influence on those of us who worked in MOD. He was a tremendous leader and a kind person who will be truly missed. Condolences to his family.
Clayton Anderson
December 3, 2013
If ever there was a man who epitomized the "tough and competent" legacy of Mission Operations and Flight Control, it was Brock "Randy" Stone. A man of faith and compassion, he coupled his love of life with a passion for our US Space Program. I am honored to have known him. Godspeed my friend.
Clayton C. Anderson
US Astronaut, Retired
Wyvette McLendon
December 3, 2013
Privileged to have met him through JSAT activities..RIP Randy Stone. I'll have to let Steve know...he worked with him in DA8 as well. Prayers for the family!
Joyce Abbey
December 3, 2013
A great man who will be sorely missed. He touched so many lives. My most sincere condolences to his family and dear friends.
Glenda Lancon
December 3, 2013
Randy was a great person. He will be missed by everyone. My thoughts and prayers are with you Susan and your family.
Mary Lynne Barends
December 3, 2013
Randy introduced me to NASA JSC with his life stories and wonderful history from the Apollo days to present. What an inspiration I will never forget.
Mary Ann Oler
December 3, 2013
Randy was Chief of the Flight Director Office when I started working in DA8 in 1990. It was a privilige and joy to work with him. It was great fun to go shopping with him in Moscow when we were both excited to be there for the first time. I am thankful that I had the chance to talk with him at the get- together for GAP a few months ago. My best wishes to Susan and his family.
Mary Ann Oler
December 2, 2013
Randy is one of my favorite people. From Indian Princesses, youth sports, work at NASA and work at Cimarron, it was always a pleasure to be around him. He will be sorely missed.
Kyle Rone
Marv LeBlanc
December 2, 2013
Celebrate the life of Randy Stone! Over the years, many memories exist at NASA. He now opens his eyes finding himself in familiar surroundings again in a home somehow forgotten and among those he thought were lost. Now he will walk in a place of awesome beauty and unconditional love. Here he is able to move at the speed of thought and to soar through the heavens with others who have also shared the life experience.
Know that from time to time he will visit the thoughts and dreams of those left behind. He will be there to greet you when you are called home. Home in a place where we can walk with the source of Love and Light, Home again with God the creator of Dreams. Thanks to a great friend and colleague. Celebrate the life of Randy Stone!
December 2, 2013
A wonderful friend from both church and work. Our sympathies to Susan and the family. Ron and Evelyn Gantz, Fort Worth, TX
December 2, 2013
Randy was an all around wonderful man--good friend and great boss!
John Wegener (Zwolle, LA)
Frank Breshears
December 2, 2013
With heavy heart I bid farewell to a friend. My thoughts and prayers are with Randy's family.
Estela Campbell
December 2, 2013
Randy always had a smile and a positive attitude when I would run into him in the Cimarron building. My deepest condolences to his family.
Greg Harbaugh
December 2, 2013
Randy was a larger than life presence to those of us who followed him in Mission Control. He was a profoundly good and fair man, competent, and honest. His approach to his work at NASA - his good humor while getting to the heart of the matter - significantly influenced many who came after him. He leaves a wonderful legacy both at NASA and, more importantly, among those who had the privilege of knowing him as a friend. I am grateful to have had the chance to learn from him and honored to have known him. May God bless his family.
Jayant Ramakrishnan
December 2, 2013
Randy was a dear friend - I enjoyed meeting him for lunch and working with him on numerous occasions - His warmth and kindness were a source of joy to me. I will miss him - Rest in Peace my friend - Jayant
Ellen Latimer
December 2, 2013
My condolences to Susan and her family. Randy was a wonderful man!
Connie Dunaway
December 1, 2013
I have known Randy for many years and always had great respect for his kind and gentle approach to everything. He will be greatly missed. That big console in the sky is getting one of the best.
Jimmy Gilbert
December 1, 2013
Randy was always a great friend whether at Mission Control on in the model shop. He excelled at everything that he did. Condolences to his immediate and extended family.
Owen Parker
December 1, 2013
I had the honor of meeting Mr. Stone several times through my Father-in-Law, JT Chapman.
My wife and I mourn for the family's loss.
Owen Parker
Kathy Bradley
December 1, 2013
Randy was such a nice man, honest, and very positive person. He will be greatly missed!
Jim Snowden
December 1, 2013
One Super NASA Guy!
Scott Curtis
December 1, 2013
Randy took time and effort to help me when I was young and stupid. He later helped me through the most difficult days of my life when I was older and stupid. I will miss him dearly.
Bruce Williamson
November 30, 2013
My memories of Randy Stone reflect what a personable man he was. He always used first names with everyone. His eulogy for John Harpold showed his sensitivity and caring for the people with whom he worked.
Kenneth Aitken
November 30, 2013
I worked as a contractor employee at JSC for over 40 years and I can honestly say I never met a finer person than Randy. He always had a smile on his face. He will deepy missed!
Jimmy Beaves
November 30, 2013
During my own four decades in the MCC I always worked on the facility management/ground support side. But in all my associations with Randy he always made it clear that he felt we ground guys were an important part of the Flight Control team. I remain grateful to him for those feelings. In my view, Randy was a genuine Texas gentleman and an excellent leader in the best old NASA tradition.
John Snyder
November 30, 2013
Randy will be greatly missed . I always considered him to be one of the finest managers I ever had the pleasure to work with during my MCC career. God bless him and his family
November 29, 2013
What more can one say of a successful life than everyone his soul touched felt blessed to have known him...be it as friend, neighbor, mentor, leader, father, or husband. Randy was such a man. He will be missed, but there is comfort in knowing he has joined many other dreamers from NASA in viewing the big blue marble Earth but now from Heaven.
Linda & Wesley Patterson
Steve Nesbitt
November 29, 2013
Randy was a pleasure to work with over the years, whether in the Flight Control Room or in the conference rooms. His special sense of humor and sharp wit helped make JSC a great place to be during those years. He will be greatly missed by many, but we will always have those good memories.
Gene Frankart
November 29, 2013
I am so sorry to hear about Randy. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family. I know what you are going through. Hold all of the memories in your heart and Randy will always be with you. I have fond memories remembering Randy coaching Allison and Sara in softball. If there is anything I can do, please just ask.
Chris Ramsay
November 29, 2013
Randy was a great boss when I was in MOD as an Instructor and Flight controller. He was a true gentleman with a very humble personality and easy sense of humor. Since Randy was the first STS DPS Officer, I think the appropriate words would be - "Liftoff confirmed!"
November 28, 2013
I first met Randy through Ed Bullock who was also an LRD member. The reason he introduced me to Randy was because Randy was owner or part owner of a model store in Clear Lake and I wanted some model stuff for my kids. That was a good number of years ago.
When I worked for Bendix/Allied Signal there was a man that I felt deserved a Snoopy award, but felt thatthe management or Bendix would not sponsor him. I called Randy who was Deputy Center Director at the time to see what he thought as he knew the man. Randy sponsored him and he got the Snoopy. To this day the man does not know how he got the snoopy, he just knows he got it. The award made him "proud as a peacock."
Dave Young Santa Fe, Texas
Chuck Gruby
November 28, 2013
May God bless you Randy and hold you in the palm of his hand. You are surely missed by this fellow Flight Controller, who looks forward to the day when we'll gather together again to discuss more lofty goals.
Ginger Kerrick
November 28, 2013
While Randy started off being a mentor in my career, it didn't take long for him to step into the role of fatherly mentor -- providing me excellent advice on the guys that I dated and on life's many twists and turns. Thank you, Randy, for being the best substitute dad a girl could ask for over the last 16 years. And thank you Susan, Kari, and Allison for sharing such an extraordinary man with the rest of us. May God bless and comfort you during this difficult time.
Dennis Doherty
November 28, 2013
God Bless You Randy and God Bless Susan, Kari & Allison. You were a Mr JSC, friend and fellow girls softball coach!
Dennis & Janice Doherty (The Woodlands via JSC & Clear Lake))
John McCullough
November 28, 2013
Randy always inspired a sense of confidence and calm focus in those around him. He was a good person, a very talented leader, and a role model for so many. His legacy will live on in those of us who were lucky enough to know 'Amber Flight'.
November 28, 2013
I had the pleasure and privilege of working with Randy in MCC for 30 wonderful years. He was simultaneously a dear friend, an empathetic mentor and an inspirational leader. He became a part of me, my being, my spirit and my work.
Story Musgrave
Linda Ham
November 28, 2013
Randy was a cherished friend, true leader, and exceptional mentor. It was an honor to know and work with him.
Mary F Lopez
November 28, 2013
Although I never worked for Randy, I admired and respected him. I am so sorry for your lost. I wish him peace where he can no longer suffer and he will be always watching over his family. Mary F. Lopez
Ron
November 28, 2013
Our loss is heaven's gain...Randy will teach those angels a thing or two about flying - safely!!
November 28, 2013
I had the great privilege of serving with Randy at the Johnson Space Center. He was a hard working, honest and faithful colleague. He was also a true friend. He will be missed.
Jefferson 'Beak' Howell [Bee Cave, TX]
Chuck Shaw
November 28, 2013
I feel very blessed to have had Randy as a friend and mentor! He was a very special person!
Lori Wheaton
November 28, 2013
You will be greatly missed, Randy! Prayers for Susan and the family.
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