Anthony "Tony" James Stone

Anthony J. “Tony” Stone, 80, of Indianapolis passed away October 19, 2024. He was born in London, England on February 11, 1944, to Kate and Lyndsey Stone.

His mother took him home from the hospital one day before Nazi’s bombed it. He came to the U.S. at the age of 10, on the Queen Elizabeth, and shortly after arrival recruited his little sisters, Deirdre and Gillian along with a lolloping great dog to go find Daniel Boone. He was one of seven children. He grew up an Army brat, moving from state to state and country to country. As a teenager in Germany, he learned an appreciation for good beer, as the only requirement for service was being able to see over the bar. He joined the army while his father was stationed in Germany and trained Green Berets and Special Forces in mountain and swamp warfare for the Vietnam War.

Upon discharge he found himself in Ohio where he met and married his first wife, Ruth. They relocated to California where both his first daughter, Tina and second daughter, Tara were born.

His love of music led him to frequent visits to the Filmore West and Winter Land as well as impromptu concerts on the beach by the Jefferson Airplane, It’s a Beautiful Day, Janis Joplin, and many others.

When he left California, he hitchhiked across the U.S. to Indianapolis where he met his second wife, Karen, with whom he has spent the last 48 years. His family grew to include her son, John, and they became a family of 5.

For all who knew him he was not only an audiophile, with over 500 CDs in his collection, but an avid Colts fan as well. Supportive of his team, win or lose. He collected football cards, knives and coins, and was an avid reader of spy novels, science fiction, fantasy and murder mysteries. He was also a devoted microbrew supporter, frequenting the Broad Ripple Brew Pub and 20 Tap where he formed long term meaningful friendships, a second family. An excellent chef by trade before he retired, he took great pleasure in being a private chef to his wife and family and for family gatherings post-retirement.

He survived heart surgery 26 years ago and prostate cancer surgery 5 years ago. But vascular disease never sleeps and after 5 surgeries in 5 weeks, he was just too tired to go on with the fight. He was a proud man, a spiritual man, an above all a gentle soul.

He treasured his many friends and loved his wife, children, grandchild, and two dogs with all his heart.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Kate; father, Lyndsey; sister, Gillian; and brother, Kevin.

Tony is survived by his loving wife, Karen; children, Tina, John and Tara; grandchild, Eddie; sisters, Deirdre, Moira, Sheila, and Laura; and his nieces and nephews. He will be sorely missed by all.

May his Spirit shine on through the universe and be rejoined with all those he loved to renew himself for the next great adventure. Until we meet again, my love.

There will be a celebration of life at the Broad Ripple Brew Pub, 842 E 56th St, Indianapolis, IN 46220 on Sunday, November 10, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Great Pyrenees Rescue website: www.igpr.org