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<p><em>Raymond “Deke” Stone Jr.</em> was born September 8, 1900 at home, on the grounds of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD. He was the oldest of seven, with five brothers and one sister. The son of a Naval Academy graduate (Class of 1894), Raymond had literally been around the world by the time he was five. However, “Crabtown” (Annapolis) remained his home and the place where he grew up. Raymond was a cradle Episcopalian and sang in the boys’ choir at Saint Anne’s Episcopal Church, earning 10 cents each week for attending choir practice. He had a wonderful baritone voice, which he used nearly his entire life.</p>
<p>Medium in stature, Raymond was always in tip-top physical condition, loved competitive sports, and longed to follow in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps by entering the Naval Academy at the appropriate time. However, Raymond wore glasses, and the Naval Academy would not accept his application for appointment. He attended the University of Maryland at College Park, MD for two years, majoring in civil engineering. Hearing the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY did not have quite the strict criteria related to glasses, Raymond applied for, and received, a presidential (four-year, probationary) appointment to West Point as a member of the Class of 1923. While at West Point, he always said a personal grace before each meal and thereby earned the nickname “Deke” (short for Deacon). He sang in the cadet choir all four years, participated in Hundredth Night, Kaydet Corp, and was vice president of the YMCA. He lettered in soccer and tennis and played corps squad football, baseball, and basketball, but, tennis became his game and he played it competitively until his early 60s (more about that later).</p>
<p>Upon graduation, Deke started off in Coastal Artillery at Fort Monroe, VA (where he would serve three times). He had a wonderful command of the English language (verbal and written) and an incredible attention to detail. It is not surprising he would ultimately end up in the Adjutant General (AG) Corps. Deke had a great sense of humor and loved people. Once he was asked to give an after-dinner speech to a large group of field-grade officers and their spouses. Figuring after cocktails and a heavy dinner with wine, no one would remember what he said, Deke gave an amazing, multi-syllable, wordy speech which said absolutely nothing. It ended with a standing ovation!</p>
<p>Two years after graduation, Deke got married and later fathered Anne Wesson Stone and Gregory King Stone. However, this marriage was not to be and ended after eight years. As a true gentleman, Deke took full responsibility (publicly) for the divorce.</p>
<p>In addition to numerous stateside duty assignments, Deke also served in Guam, Hawaii, the Philippines, Panama, Puerto Rico, and, of course, Europe during World War II. In addition to winning Armed Forces singles and doubles tennis championships in the Philippines, Panama, and Puerto Rico, while in Panama Deke” met his second wife, Louise Marjorie Beal, daughter of Bishop Harry Beal, then bishop of the Episcopal Missionary Diocese of Panama and Central America. Because he was divorced, even though his father-in-law to be was an Episcopal bishop, they could not be married in the church. So, on May 30, 1942, Raymond and Louise were married in the Naval Academy Chapel. To our knowledge, Deke is the only West Point graduate born on the grounds of the Naval Academy and married in the Naval Academy Chapel! “GO ARMY: BEAT NAVY!” They would parent Marjorie Louise Stone, and yours truly, David Graham Stone.</p>
<p>While in Europe during World War II, Raymond served as assistant AG for the First and Twelfth Army Groups in France and Germany. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Service, the French Croix de Guerre with star, World War II Victory Medal, European Theatre Medal with five stars, and the Army of Occupation Ribbon. When the First Army Group returned to Fort Bragg, NC in July 1945, Deke became Adjutant General.</p>
<p>Retiring in 1954, he moved the family to La Jolla, CA and pursued his lifelong interest in history, attending San Diego State University and receiving his teaching credentials in United States and world history. From 1956 to 1966, Raymond taught both subjects at Clairemont High School (San Diego). In 1962, he was awarded the coveted Valley Forge Freedom Foundation Medal for Teaching Excellence. Retiring from teaching, he became Commandant of Cadets at San Diego Military Academy in Oceanside, CA, retiring for the third time in 1968.</p>
<p>With his love for tennis, Deke and the family were longtime members of the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club. He and his daughter, Marjorie (Midge), played competitive doubles, there and at the Rancho Santa Fe Country Club. In his later years, with a group of fellow military retiree buddies (Army, Navy, and Marine) known as the “Buccaneers,” Deke and the others donned eye patches and met for breakfast once a week at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club and shared war stories.</p>
<p>After a three-year battle with bronchitis, on September 11, 1982, Deke became a member of the “Long Gray Line.” Deke is interred in the West Point Cemetery, having come “full circle” after 63 years. His beloved Louise joined him in 2000.</p>
<p>Since Deke sang every Sunday in the choirs of both Saint James by-the Sea Episcopal Church and La Jolla Presbyterian Church, there were two, over-flowing memorial services. At each, the processional hymn was “Onward Christian Soldiers,” and the recessional hymn was “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” Rest in Peace, Deacon, and enjoy “The Long Gray Line.”</p>
<p><em>— David Graham Stone, son</em></p>
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