REAVIS STONE

Reavis “Gene” Stone, 89, passed away April 20, 2008 at the Palmer Pioneer’s Home because of a failing heart, due to advanced age. A visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, at Kehl’s Palmer Mortuary, 209 S. Alaska Way. A graveside service will follow at the Palmer Pioneer Cemetery. Pallbearers are Joel Stone Jr., William Stone Sr., Martha Peters and Chris Peters.

Stone was born Nov. 28, 1918 in Waycross, Ga. He served in the U.S. Army National Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard.

He began his Alaska residency in 1994, residing in Juneau from 1994 until 1998 before moving to Palmer.

Stone retired in 1986 working more than 20 years with Rohr Industries in Chula Vista, Calif., and General Dynamics Convair in San Diego, Calif. Both companies are aerospace/air plane builders.

Stone was a proud nondenominational Christian. He loved woodworking.

His family states, “Gene loved people and loved to talk to them all. He loved to shop looking for a bargain. He loved his wife of 56 years. When asked how long he had been married before his wife passed away, he would always say the same, ‘Not long enough.’”

Survivors include his sons Gene Stone of Waycross, Ga., Michael Stone of Mississippi and Joel Stone Sr. of Wasilla; grandchildren Martha, Patrick and Michael Stone Jr., Joel Stone Jr., William Stone, Rhonda Stone, Candis Stone and Mike Stone; great-grandchildren William Stone Sr., Ashley Peters and Alyssa Stone.

Memorial donations can be made to the c/o Stone Family, Joel Stone 561 Paystreak Circle, Wasilla, AK 99654. Arrangements entrusted to Kehl’s Palmer Mortuary.