Raymond Albert Stone

Raymond Albert Stone, age 88, peacefully passed away at home in Elmhurst, IL on November 21st, 2025. He was born in Des Moines, IA, to the late Raymond and the late Alberta Mae Stone.
Adored husband of 68 years to Grace (née Johnson) Stone.
Loving father of the late Kelly (Patricia) Stone, Lynn (Tyrone) Holland, David Stone, Gary (Melanie) Stone, Christina (Daniel) Reedy and Steve Stone.
Cherished grandfather of Heather, Matthew, Billy, Bridget, Brittany, Jacob, Will, Gabriella, Nicole, Tara, Briana, Scott, Dierdre, Grace, Ava, Braiden, Brielle, and preceded in death by grandchildren Emily, Carrie, & Jamie.
Beloved great-grandfather of Madelyn, Gabriel, Emma, Dean, Darcy, Ferris, Henry, Elsie, and Raymond.
Ray was a faithful Christian and a man of profound spiritual strength.
Ray graduated with a BS in Pharmacy from Drake University in 1958 and became a registered Pharmacist in Iowa. His career migrated away from pharmacy to retail and grocery store management which eventually prompted a move from Iowa to Elmhurst in the mid-1960's. A large opportunity arose with Jewel-Osco Food Stores at the "Turn Style" Department store in Westmont Il. Eventually he climbed the ladder to hold a Vice President of General Merchandise role with Jewel in the 1970's and in 1977 Ray delivered his hallmark innovation when he created Generic Foods called "Jewel Generics", a low-cost reliable quality grocery option. After Jewel, Ray held a similar Executive Vice President role at Dominick's Finer Foods from the mid-80's into the 90's. He dabbled entrepreneurially and in consultant roles related to Healthcare after Dominick's.
Ray was also elected as an Elmhurst Park District Commissioner from 1973 - 79. During that time Ray helped design the original construction of what is today The Courts Plus and he also dedicated the Chicago Great Western Railway Depot and fountain at York Road & the Prairie Path. In those same years in the 70's, Ray was a well-known Elmhurst Boys Baseball and Elmhurst Boys Football coach for his sons and countless young Elmhurst athletes winning many games with his teams but more importantly stressing fundamental skills development through repetition. He coached Elmhurst travel baseball teams to tournament championships in Deerfield, Buffalo Grove, Niles, Northlake, and Shabbona Park over multiple years.
Ray was the ultimate competitor as well as a passionate and accomplished athlete himself. He competed in Football, Baseball, and Swimming in High School. He was proud to be recruited by Duke University Football in High School but ultimately elected to play College Football locally as a Running Back. Ray was also a successful boxer during his three years in the Iowa National Guard from 1954-57. He later picked up golf playing regularly with his colleagues at Medinah Country Club on Saturday mornings in the 1970's. In 1988, he started his own charity golf tournament, The Stone Open, which recently completed the 37th annual tournament. In total, the Stone Open raised over $800k primarily for the Elmhurst YMCA Kid's Club. In 2018, Ray was also named the Unsung Hero Award recipient by the Elmhurst YMCA.
Perhaps his greatest athletic achievements came later in life when long-distance running became his passion. He was on the Elmhurst YMCA Rally Team in the 70's and ran the Dan Gibbon's Turkey Trot 22 times, but his real long-distance accomplishments were achieved when he finished seven marathons, Chicago (5), and New York City (2, 1987 & 1989).
A visitation will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Elmhurst Community Funeral Home - THE AHLGRIM CHAPEL, 567 S. Spring Road, Elmhurst, Illinois, directly followed by a funeral service beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Ray's wardrobe consists of red clothes exclusively, so a touch of red in your attire is encouraged to honor his memory.
For more information, (630) 834-3515 or www.ElmhurstFH.com.