Gary Vance Stone, age 83, of Dallas, died on April 7, 2020 at Medical City Dallas Hospital, Dallas Texas, after many years of living with cancer. He dealt with each illness and hospitalization calmly, without complaint and with extraordinary patience and dignity. Gary is survived by his wife of 37 years, Lori (Dolores) Rondeau Stone, children Sharalynn and Gary Sullivan, Jon and Nicolette Swift, Lisa and Michael Grieco and grandchildren Matthew, Rachel and Benjamin Grieco and great grandson Gabriel Sierra and siblings Ronald, Janet and Barbara Stone. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother. He was born in Lockhart, Texas on May 14, 1936 and grew up in that area. After graduating from Texas State University in San Marcos, TX in 1959, he taught English and Journalism, edited several Texas newspapers, the Daily Oklahoman and the Albuquerque Journal, served in the army, and graduated from University of New Mexico in 1971 with a Juris Doctorate from the school of Law. He practiced criminal law and was a prosecutor in the DAs office in Albuquerque. After returning to Texas in 1981, he practiced family law in Tarrant and Dallas County. He married Lori in 1983. After retiring from Law in 1990, Gary completed the Master Gardener program in Dallas and served as a Dallas County Master Gardener for over 20 years. As a passionate environmentalist and steward of our land, he became a beekeeper and, as he did with all his interests, he researched and read voraciously on all things apian. He was a member of the Trinity Valley Beekeepers Association and participated in several bee blogs. An avid reader, he belonged to the Elizabeth Thompson Literary Club and for the past 15 years, Gary practiced Tai Chi with a YMCA group and with the Chen Ming martial arts school in Plano. Gary was a loving and supportive husband, a proud and caring son, father and brother and a kind, intelligent, and honest friend. Family and friends sought his wise advice and thoughtful wisdom and he was generous with his time. He loved to cook, especially spicy dishes and enjoyed baking breads. He started repairing motorcycles and flying small aircraft in his early teens, and worked on newspapers for 20 years from typesetting, writing, photography and editorials. He was a true Renaissance man. He was a warrior and fought until the very end of his life and he has left a tremendous void. The family would like to thank Dr. John Mathews, his nurse Amanda, Tiffany Craig, PT, and Dr. E. Paul Kaplan, who all provided care which improved his quality of life and made his last months bearable.
Due to the COVID pandemic, no service will be held at this time. When family and friends can safely come together, we will plan a celebration of Garys life.
________________________________________________________ A Signature Service under the direction of: Aria Cremation Service & Funeral Home 10116 E. Northwest Highway Dallas, Texas 75238 214-340-8008
