Happy 86th Birthday Dad! We miss you and love you each and every Day.  Tonight I had dinner with Sean, Chynna, Burkley and Lichelle at Chy's new home. They gave me a scuplter of a man holding a Stone up in the air. It's so reminded me of our family. Also it is the Year of the Fire Rooster and I was given a special Rooster Pen to sign deals with and an incredible painting. We will all have you in our hearts today on our Bithday. I visit your home with Kim to have Brunch with Carolyn, Pele & Mom. You would be happy to know we are sending Pele in your honor to True North to lose weight and Kris just got back from Cambodia from opening your Boys Home!!! So excited for both your great grandchilden coming in March and April!  Love Jeff 

Uncle Richard, You will be forever missed. Every memory I have with you is a happy one. It all started back when you visited us in Florida. You and Aunt Carolyn had recently gotten married. You brought us the coolest new thing in Hawaii, the fad hadn’t even hit the states yet-Pogs! My brother and I played with them for hours on end and already had a huge supply and won major cool points with all our friends when they became popular in our parts. =) 

After that I remember visiting you guys frequently. Many summers in Utah, sitting out in the sun room watching movies (mostly Shirley Temple), roasting marshmallows over an open fire, playing truth or lie- which you were oh so good at and would fool me and Nathan every time, fishing, hiking, Mount Timpanogos, getting a lollipop at the top of the 3 Bears Trail, I even secretly loved how you called me Pocohantas all summer long after I accidentally called Joseph Smith, John Smith. Skiing all winter and our occasional run in with Bobby aka “Robert Redford.” One of my favorite memories was ringing in the New Year in Utah. Right before midnight it started to snow and we all dressed up in crazy hats and scarves and ran outside to catch snowflakes on our tongue and ring in the New Year. A tradition that stuck and still to this day on New Years Eve our family puts on funny hats and accessories. 

Then you moved back to Hawaii and I have amazing memories of games, long talks, hula dancing in Kauai, Roys, collecting golf balls, walks on the beach, and my first ride in a jet (compliments of Jeff).  If Uncle Stoney was around a good time was to be had. He had a contagious laughter, the most amazing stories- filled with adventure, and great wisdom. He had a full life. He was loved by many and will be missed greatly. However I’m happy and find comfort in knowing that he is with our Lord and Savior and is experiencing life more glorious than anything Earth has to offer or we can even imagine. I love you Uncle Richard and can’t wait to see you again. 

Our families fondest memories of Stoney are sitting around the fire playing true or not true with the kids, Dominoes with the Mexican Train, a hike or just sitting around listening to a story.  He was generous with his time and opened up new adventures for all of us. He could do it all and we were better for knowing him. 

We loved his competitive spirit and enjoyed the banter because he was not a good loser. His sense of humor gave us joy. 

We were lucky to have him as our family and friend for 30 years and wished we could have spend more time with him. 

He loved his family and gave to others.  He enjoyed life in spite of it's difficulties and managed to make a permanent impression on all of us. A pretty good testament of a life lived well.

We thank God that he was part of our lives. Our sincere condolences to Carolyn and the Stone family.    

Larry, Debi, Adriane & Brad, Nathan and Kristina

"I'M FREE"

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free
I’m following the path God has laid you see.
I took His hand when I heard him call
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work, to play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I found that peace at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss
Oh yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts and peace to thee
God wanted me now, He set me free.

Richard (Dick) was one of my parents' best friends going back to the 60's and 70's. I remember he came to our house several nights every week after work for a toddy, some concrete pumping conversation, sometimes dinner, and a lot of laughter.  Jeff, Mari and Randy were teenagers at the time, and would regularly call Dick about some life problem or "want to do" wish.  After Dick would hang up, another would call .. Dick and my parents would laugh over the challenges of fatherhood.  But he also let my parents bond and love these three very special people - often glued with blueberry bread.  One night I remember wondering why this handsome man, loving father, awesome family friend, was having toddy's alone with my parents.  Then came Carolyn.  Then we loved 5.

Many years ago (as you can see hair in photo :-), Dick and Jeff convinced my parents to visit Hawaii and go fishing.  My father caught this huge fish, but it took everyone to reel it in - a true buddy catch. This photo and the nose of the fish has hung for years in my dad's home before his passing - a way to feel connected from Hawaii to Idaho. I had the pleasure to visit Dick and Carolyn twice in past few years ... and his story-telling and laughter, tears and love, and that contagious smile felt just like the first time we met over 45 years ago.

Dick has been a gift to every member of the Hostetter family.  We won't be able to attend the celebration of his life in Hawaii but will light a candle to be with all of you in spirit during the time of the service.   Our love to each of you.

We are thankful for the fun times we shared - poker and picnic at the lagoon.  You are so loved by many and will be very missed.  Rest in peace Richard.  Love always, Rolf and Aida Klein

Papa and his boy Kainalu Jet

This is Kourtney!  Haha

Just one story of many of my brother, Ralph Richard Stone.  My brother, two of my friends, and I went to Tule Lake, California to goose hunt.  My brother and I fixed our blind as well as the two friends.  I remember it being foggy and we had our decoys out and the geese came flying in.  My brother and I never missed, our two friends could never hit.  Needless to say, we got their limits and ours. It was my birthday and we went in with a lot of pride to a check station to show off our hunt.  The game warden opened up the trunk of our car, seeing all the birds he said "congratulations. I have some good news and some bad news.  The good news is that you had a great hunt.  The bad news is that they are all the same kind of bird".  At that time a person could only have so many of one type of geese - we had all the same type. We had the right number but not the right mix.  The warden took away our geese and we thought we were going to lose our guns.  Instead, he cited us for the error we made and I had to appear in Sacramento before the judge. I expained to "her" our ignorancethat it was my birthday and we realy didn't have to check in with the birds.  She told me ignorance is no excuse for breaking the law  $300.00 fine, which we split four ways.  Even after paying the money, it left us with a sour taste in our mouths, but we had a great laugh about it evertime we got together.  This is just one of many stories and memories that I have of my loving brother. My eternal love and admiration for him will always be there.  I will aways have my memories until we meet again in the Eternity. 

IN LOVING MEMORY  

RALPH RICHARD "STONEY" STONE

It is incredibly rare that a person can have a man in their life that you can say has been …a father, Counselor, Mentor, best friend, spiritually and personally inspirational, and was a tremendous force in your life. ‘Stoney” is that man that I was blessed to have and know. Stoney, succumbed to a massive stroke, MOVING INTO HIS Eternal home with God, his son Randy (who we lost too soon in 2007) leaving behind my best friend, his son Jeffrey, wife Carolyn, Daughter Mari and his beloved grandchildren and a Plethora of friends, family, and as I, we were all blessed to have him in our lives, he in mine for life, 47 YEARS.  

Stoney was all things to me, as afore mentioned, my heart is torn in pieces, my mind in a fog and a whole in my soul opened wide. ….I LOVE HIM, I will always be grateful for him and to him, now as hard as it is, I must turn my thoughts to the incredible teachings, laughter and memories that he afforded me. Going back to days in Burbank as a child, listening and looking up to him,  to When I lived in Hawaii when  we were inseparable, racquetball daily, Sunday afternoons in the hammocks watching football, a BBQ and a beer……..just the tip of all the happy days 

Stoney, a one of a kind man who God gave this earth for 84 years, a person whom I again, have so much Love and gratitude for.

So Stoney, in a loving and heartfelt tribute, I wish you a do, and know that if I live my life as half the man as you, I have achieved greatness……

I LOVE YOU STONEY, REST NOW, YOU HAVE AND WILL ALWAYS BE WITH ME..

Your friend eternally 

ABE