Roger Albert Stone

Roger Albert Stone Lansing Roger Albert Stone, beloved husband and father, died on August 28, 2010. He was born in Detroit on March 10, 1919, to Esther Elizabeth (Taylor) and Arthur Stanley Stone. The third of six sons, he lived in numerous small towns in southern Michigan during his childhood, making friends and forming fond memories in each one. A natural athlete, Roger excelled in sports and was an exceptional high jumper, beating others who were much taller than he. Roger married Jean Elizabeth Boyd on August 29, 1943, and together they had four children, Nancy Jean Barry, Arthur Donald Stone, John Robert Stone and Janice Ruth Forrester. Roger and Jean loved the outdoors, and their children have wonderful memories of camping vacations that took them all over Michigan and to many National Parks throughout the nation. Roger was a beloved custodian at Lansing's Cumberland Road School for many years, and for his children, it was like living with a celebrity. Many times, family outings were interrupted by someone coming up saying, "Mr. Stone, do you remember me?". In 2004, Janice and her family were with Roger at the Ingham County Fair, over 20 years after his retirement, when a middle aged couple approached and said, "Mr. Stone, do you remember us?". Upon their retirement, Roger and Jean traveled the lower 48 states and managed a trip to New Zealand before Jean's death in 1986. Roger rebuilt his life after Jean's death. He increased his involvement in his longtime church, First United Methodist of Lansing, helped restore the Barton theatre pipe organ at the Grand Ledge Opera House and became deeply involved in the restoration of the 40 Mile Point Lighthouse in Rogers City, Michigan. He also found great fulfillment in the strong friendships he developed with his neighbors. His three grandchildren, Kevin Robert Stone, Neil Taylor Forrester and Katherine Jean Forrester, arriving in 1989, 1990 and 1994 respectively, provided perhaps his greatest joys during that period. A World War II veteran, Roger had a strong interest in every aspect of its history. His other passions included the lore, lighthouses and shipping of the Great Lakes, as well as Michigan history and geology, trains, airplanes, and music. He never forgot the wonders of film or the magic it brought to small town Depression era life. Each of his three grandchildren share aspects of his interests, including film making, World War II history and music. Roger will be missed by his loving family and friends, and will be fondly remembered as a man who had not any enemy in the world. A celebration of the life of Roger and Jean Stone from 1943 to 1986 and of Roger's life from 1986 to 2010 will be held next summer. Contributions in his memory may be made to Hospice of Lansing, Stoneleigh Residence, 4052 Legacy Pkwy, Suite 200, Lansing, MI 48911. The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Lansing Chapel. On line condolences may be sent to: www.gorslineruncimanlansing.com