Vernon Travis Stone

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Vernon Travis Stone, 98, of Jonesboro passed from this life into the arms of Jesus on Sunday, June 13, 2021

He was born November 2, 1922 at Warm Springs, Arkansas in Randolph County to the late John Wesley and Stella Floyd Stone.

He joined the Navy in 1940 at the age of seventeen.  He was assigned to the USS Vestal upon completion of training in December of 1940 in Long Beach California.  His ship left for Pearl Harbor in March to begin repair work on cruisers and battleships.  On December 5, 1941 they were moored alongside the USS Arizona to do repair work on Monday December 8.  It never happened.  The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941.  Vernon and his brother Horace both survived the attack.

The next ship he was assigned to was the USS Lloyd E Acree at Orange, Texas. He went through the Panama Canal into the Pacific for escort duty and submarine patrol for Leyte Philippines invasion.  He stayed there until the surrender of Japan.  He was discharged from the Navy in December 1946.

He enlisted in the Air Force January 3, 1948 and was assigned to Chanute Air Force Base, Rantoul, Illinois.  From there he went to Shaw Air Force Base South Carolina.  His next base was Ellison Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska till 1950.  From there he was assigned to Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.  Before going to Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah, he married Fredreca and they lived there sixteen months.  His next Air Force journey took him to Pusan, Korea for twelve months.  Fredreca did not accompany him on this assignment. Upon his return he reported to Chanute Air Force Base, Rantoul, Illinois.  From there they moved to Carswell Air Force Base, Fort Worth, Texas, retiring there May 31, 1963.  He has resided in Jonesboro Arkansas since his military retirement.

Vernon then worked as a heat and air supervisor at Arkansas State University until his retirement in 1987.

Vernon enjoyed playing golf, gardening, studying the Bible, and traveling with his loving wife Fredreca.  They were married 71 years.

He also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, and supporting his grandchildren and great grandchildren at ball games, band performances, cheerleading and other activities.

At the age of 9 he accepted Jesus as his Savior.  As a member of Central Baptist Church here in Jonesboro, he was a faithful servant of God. He also taught Sunday School there for years.  He was a Christ-like example for all of his family.

In addition to his parents he is also preceded in death by two brothers, Cardwell B Stone, Horace E Stone and stepmother Myrtle Stone.

Vernon is survived by his wife Fredreca (Freddie) Brady Stone, two sons, Travis R. (Nancy) Stone, Charles R. (Beth) Stone: six grandchildren , Chris (Amber) Stone, Phil (Dana) Phillips, Daniel (Kala) Stone, Amy Stone, David (Sarah) Stone, Jennifer (Blake)  Smith and eleven great grandchildren, Trenton Stone, Luke Phillips, Taylor Stone, Hailey Stone, Van Stone, Ella Stone, Tyson Stone, Cooper Stone, Brody Smith, Braden Williams, and Lily Smith.

He is also survived by 2 very special nieces: Carolyn (Bill) Duke, Paula (Dr. Michael) Thompson and their children and grandchildren:  Joe (Adriane)Duke, Ellen (Brian) Lisko, Jonathan Pyle, Nate Pyle, Laura Thompson (Jake) Kornegay, Dayton Duke, Margaret Duke, Lucy Lisko and Molly Lisko.

Friends may visit Emerson Memorial Chapel Friday June 18, 2021, starting at 1:00 p.m. with services following at 2:00 p.m.

Graveside services, with military honors, will be Friday June 18, 2021 at Lawrence Memorial Park in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas at 4:00 p.m.

In Lieu of flowers the family has asked to please consider donations to Central Baptist Church or a charity of your choice.