Richard J. Stone

FORT MEADE - Mr. Richard James Stone, 65, passed away Wed., April 25, 2012 in Sebring, FL. Mr. Stone was born in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada and moved to Fort Meade from North Carolina in 1990. He was retired from the U.S. Army, where he was a Vietnam War veteran and served on the 101st Airborne Division, 173rd Airborn Bregade Separate, which was the first Army forces in Vietnam and the last forces to leave. Mr. Stone received the Combat Infintryman's Badge, Bronze Star and Distinguished Service Medal. After retiring from the Army, Mr. Stone also taught GED Classes for the State of Florida Prison System. He is survived by his companion of 27 years, Ms. Mitsuko Piersall, Fort Meade, FL; daughters, Jennifer Burton and husband John, Newport, New York and Tammy Stone, Iliom, New York; sister, Jean Merriman, Brunswick, Maine; four grandchildren. Funeral services and interment will be held 1:00p.m., Friday, April 27, 2012 at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL. Hancock Funeral Home, Fort Meade, FL 863-285-8171.