Gordon Jay Stone, age 68, of Delta, our much beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend returned to his Heavenly home on December 21, 2013 on the West Desert that he loved. He was born to Harlon Leonard and Elva McCullough Stone in Tooele, Utah, on February 16, 1945. He married the love of his life, Peggy Dene Corbett on June 2, 1967 and their marriage was solemnized in the Manti Temple on June 14, 1969.
Jay, as he was known by family and friends, pursued his life ambitions with a passion and dedication that echoed his work ethic. From his time in the military, as a 101st Airborne –“Screaming Eagles” – to his lifelong love of mining, he exhibited a boundless energy that inspired all his posterity and all those who had the privilege to know him. His love of storytelling brightened the lives of his listeners, as he was indiscriminate with whom he shared his many stories and jokes. His wit was quick and entertaining with others rarely getting the best of him. His children developed a fond love of music from his singing and the many Saturday mornings he could be found lying in front of his record player (although not many of his children inherited his musical abilities). Because of his mining career, he and his family traveled much of North America as tramps and looked forward to the next adventure where his singing of the oldies replaced the radio and entertained his children for miles. “On the Road Again” became the Stone mantra, sung at the beginning of every road trip. His achievements and accomplishments in the mining industry were vast and something that gave him great pride. As a miner, he rose quickly through the ranks to become a project manager, giving opportunities and a love of mining to many young men through the years, including his own sons and sons-in-law. He was a beloved boss, known to show up, day or night, to serenade the men in the dry house with his rendition of “Big John” and was admired for his atypical style as a boss, known to still come down and throw the jackleg around. His greatest desire was to always provide well for his family and he was willing to undergo any sacrifice for them. He always told his children, “You give it your all. You don’t quit until you are done. And if you don’t want to give them your best, move on so they can hire someone that’s willing to.” Sadly, though his voice had been somewhat silenced in recent years due to his illness, we know he is once again sharing his voice and stories with those he loves.
He was proud of his ever growing family and loved to tease the great-grandchildren just as he always did with his children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his beloved wife: Peggy; his children: Kim (Thayne) Church of Spring Creek, Nevada; Shayne (Kerry) Stone of Elko, Nevada; Tammy (Pete) Young of Laurel, Montana; Shawdo Stone of Green River, Wyoming; Shiloh (Joy) Stone of Harrisburg, Ilinois; Shalum (Candice) Stone of Elko, Nevada. He has 31 grandkids: Garrett (Tiffany) Church, Gordon Jace (Caitlyn) Church, Kimi (Matt) Saylo, Tanner Church, Tallin Church, Kailee Church, Kassi Church, Kinzee Church, William Church, Wyatt Church, Hayden Church, Kalli Church, Hyrum Church, Kami Church, Nate Church, Noah Church, Harlon Stone, Jayson Stone, Jarom Stone, Cereta Stone, Ella Stone, Sariah Stone, Rhett Hupka, Rhyan Hupka, Chase Hupka, Braydon Hupka, Rhiley Hupka, Shelia Stone, Shiloh Joseph Stone II, Daniel Stone and Jared Stone; and 6 great-grandchildren: Gabriel Church, Isaac Church, Emmett Church, Maelynn Church, Jared Saylo, and Emma Saylo. Also his big sister: Shirley (Darryl) Wright; and brother: Rex Stone. He was preceded in death by his parents: Harlon and Elva; and son-in-law: Michael Freeman Hupka.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 27, 2013, at 11 AM, in the Delta 1st Ward LDS Chapel. Friends may call at the Nickle Mortuary on Thursday evening from 6 to 8 PM; and Friday at the church, 9:30 - 10:40 AM. Burial will be in the Delta City Cemetery.