Henry D. Stone

1937 - 2014

Stone, Henry D.,

The "voice" of Franklin, KY, for more than 40 years -- the voice on the radio, in the newspaper, at city hall -- the voice of a good man, has been stilled.

Henry D. Stone, age 77, died Thursday, November 6, 2014 in Lexington, KY, surrounded by his daughters and family.

With him in spirit was a far larger family. For Henry Stone, the town of Franklin, Kentucky was his family, too. He devoted his life to that family of friends and neighbors.

Henry Stone worked at The Franklin Favorite-WFKN Radio for 40 years. His title was Publisher and General Manager. His real job was to try to make the world a better place.

As news director at WFKN, Henry presented "News Over the Coffee Cup" at 7:30 each morning for 35 years. On Friday nights in the fall, Henry accompanied his friend Stan Portmann, broadcasting the Franklin-Simpson Wildcat football games.

When he retired in 2001, Henry became a volunteer at the Community Action agency, and also hosted interviews on "Frankly, Franklin," a local access cable TV show.

In 2002, Henry Stone was elected to the Franklin City Commission as the top vote-getter. He was re-elected three times, and he served as mayor pro tem. While a commissioner, Henry sat on the Industrial Authority Board and the Franklin Housing Authority board.

Henry Stone was an elder of the Franklin Presbyterian Church. He served on boards of the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce. He was a president of the Literacy Council and the Band Boosters.

Early in his career, Henry was named "Outstanding Young Man" by the Franklin-Simpson Jaycees. Later in life he was chosen for the "Lifetime Achievement Award" by the Franklin-Simpson Chamber of Commerce.

Henry D. Stone was born in the Bristow community of Warren County, Kentucky on June 27, 1937. He was the son of the late Hughie Hinton Stone and Mabel Lothridge Stone.

Henry graduated from Franklin-Simpson High School in 1955. He earned a degree in journalism from Western Kentucky University in 1959 and was also a proud member of WKU's debate team. As a member of the U.S. Army Reserves, Henry was called to active duty during the Berlin Crisis in 1962.

Henry Stone is survived by two daughters, Ann Jones, the mother of grandchildren Meg and Cayce Jones, of Versailles, KY and Katherine Stone, the mother of grandchildren Hallie and Henry Walther, of Lexington and son-in-law Jeffrey Walther. Henry Stone is also survived by his sister, Hallie Gomer of Franklin. He was preceded in death by his older brother, Dr. Vernon A. Stone.

Funeral services for Henry D. Stone will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 10, 2014 at the Franklin Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, November 9, 2014 and from 6 a.m. until 9 a.m. Monday at Booker-Gilbert Funeral Home, Franklin. The body will lie in state at the church from 10 a.m. until service time. Donations can be made to Franklin Presbyterian Church.