Obituary of Col. Lyman Clarence Stone

No visitation Lt. Col. Lyman Clarence Stone Lyman Clarence Stone passed away on July 6, 2007 in Lacey WA at the age of 92, following a recent stroke. He died at Panorama Convalescent Center. Lyman was born to Clarence Lyman Stone and Hermina Marie Horejs Stone on September 26th, 1914 at home in West Seattle. One sister, Marjorie Orlou Stone, followed five years later. The young family soon moved to Queen Anne Hill in Seattle and the children grew up there, dividing their time between Seattle and their beachfront summer home & retreat on the eastern side of Vashon Island, Stoneshore, where many happy memories were made. Lyman attended Lafayette Elementary, John Hay Elementary and Queen Anne High School, graduating in the class of 1932. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in 1936, and his teaching certificate, also from the University of Washington, in 1937. Following graduation, he taught school briefly in Hover, Washington. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces in January, 1942, and ultimately rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force. He served in the European Theatre and held some challenging positions while there, including measuring the success of American bombing raids in Germany and, as the war wound down, collecting defeated German officers, personnel and war materiel. Following the war, he remained in the Air Force Reserves, ultimately retiring in 1974. Following World War II, Lyman attended Harvard Business School, completing a special accelerated course in business. He later obtained his CPA certification. Lyman’s career was spent in responsible roles in finance, accounting and statistics in the Seattle area including many years at Szabo Food Service. He wrapped up his career with the State of Washington, as part of the Business Fraud Unit based in Olympia. Lyman married Edwina “Dede” Pinckney Johnston of Macon, Georgia on April 27, 1942 in Boise, Idaho. The couple settled in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle following World War II. They had no children, and were divorced in 1953. Two of Lyman’s passions in life were golf and fishing. He played golf frequently and happily with his friends, and was proud of his prowess in the sport. There were lots of outings to favorite fishing spots. He adored his dogs, and for much of his life had a faithful canine companion. He always had a wicked sense of humor, and could be counted on to come up with the perfect one-liner, quip, or joke every time, along with a mischievous chuckle and a twinkle in his eye. Lyman resided over the years in Seattle, Bellevue, and Olympia. In the mid-1980’s, Lyman relocated to Panorama Retirement Home in Lacey, Washington, where he has lived for the past twenty years. Lyman is survived by his sister, Marjorie Stone Shifflette of Seattle; his nephews, David Lyman Shifflette of Seattle and Mark Lacy Shifflette of Bellingham; and his niece, Laura Stone Shifflette of Seattle, as well as their spouses and families. Memorial donations are suggested to: The Humane Society of Seattle/King County 13212 SE Eastgate Way Bellevue WA 98005 or Panorama Benevolent Fund 1751 Circle Lane SE Lacey WA 98503 ATTENTION BENEVOLENT FUND A private service will be held. Please leave condolences by clicking on "View Guestbook" below.