Loring "Stoney" Putnam Stone Obituary (1941 - 2016)

MGySgt, Loring "Stoney" Putnam Stone, 74, USMC, Retired, widower of Eva Margaret "Peggy" Stone, of Beaufort, SC passed away on Sunday, February 21, 2016 at Beaufort Memorial Hospital. Stoney was born on May 11, 1941 in Clarksburg, West Virginia to the late Chester Stone and Mary Halpen Stone. His parents passed when he was young, and he moved with family members to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for elementary school, he attended St. Joseph Military Academy Hays, Kansas for middle and high school. After graduating high school he decided college wasn't for him yet and enlisted in the Marine Corps in September 1960. He enjoyed his Marine Corps life, his Air Traffic Controller days, his many duty stations and all of the friends he made during his distinguished 27 year career. Upon retiring from USMC he enrolled at The University of South Carolina, Beaufort. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Stoney was a humor filled, loving man. He enjoyed RV'ing and liked to refer himself as a "Rolling Stone". He was ready with a joke or word of advice for all he met. Growing up without parents, Stoney often said that he was not truly alive 'til he met Peggy and her two daughters, Lori and Tracy. Their marriage filled a void for all and the family became complete upon the birth of Tara. He relished being a family man, and was very proud of "his girls". He was always striving to show them a great example of what a husband and father should be fully embodying the phrase "any man can be a father but it takes a GREAT man to be a daddy". The girl's husbands, Michael Houston, Bernie Amaya and Jason Price were welcomed and loved and Stoney made sure they followed his example of unconditional love. He fully enjoyed being a grandfather as well. Being "Poppy" to Amber, Amanda, Ashlee, Alex, Alaina, Ian, and Michael who were often blessed with his physical, emotional and monetary support at their many extracurricular activities. His two great grandsons, Blake and Ray, were his pride and joy and they adored him. He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy; his parents, Chester and Mary; and a sister, Pamela Stone. Stoney helped people in need locally and globally and would generously donate to the less fortunate. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to a charity of one's choice. Stoney's favorites were Friends of Caroline Hospice, 1110 13th Street, Port Royal, SC 29935, Veteran's charities, Waters Edge UMC Building Fund,415 SAMs Point Road,Beaufort, SC 29907 or Saint Peter's Catholic Church, 70 Lady's Island Drive, Beaufort, SC 29907. The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 25, 2016 from 5 pm to 7 pm at Anderson Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held on Friday, February 26, 2016 at 2 pm at Beaufort National Cemetery with full military honors.