James Kinderson Stone's Obituary
James Kinderson Stone, born to Evelyn and Earl Stone on 24 September 1941, in Frederick, Maryland, passed away peacefully on 18 August 2025, at Frederick Memorial Hospital, aged 83. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dorothy “Dot” Cole; a sister; and four brothers.
After leaving school in the ninth grade, Jim began working as a live-in farmhand in Frederick and Montgomery counties. At eighteen, he joined the Army, serving honorably as a rifleman for two years in Vietnam. Upon returning, he resumed farming and served his community in many ways: as a volunteer firefighter, a deliveryman for the Coca-Cola factory, a groundskeeper at Clustered Spires Golf Course, and even as a painter of the famous Clustered Spires Steeples.
Jim might have seemed reserved at first, but he loved socializing and could talk all night with friends. He was an active member of local organizations including the Moose Lodge, Elks Lodge, Redman’s Club, and Frederick Eagles Club. Jim enjoyed jazz, bluegrass, and country music, tinkering with electronics, fishing, cooking, making wine, gardening, and cars. A gun enthusiast, he was also known for his resourcefulness and knack for repairing found items.
Jim’s life changed when he met Dot in his fifties; they were happily married for 28 years. During Dot’s illness, Jim formed a close friendship with neighbors John and Marilyn Beall, who introduced him to Saint Katherine Drexel Church. Jim embraced his Catholic faith, joining the Knights of Columbus as a fourth degree and taking special pride in raising marigolds for Mother’s Day Mass.
Jim loved animals, training skunks and squirrels to eat from his hand. He was predeceased by his dogs Annie and Brody and leaves behind his beloved dachshund, Hickory and shih tzu, Mimi. A devoted neighbor and friend, Jim was always ready to lend a hand, whether buying groceries, giving rides, or offering a place to stay.
Jim’s mischievous spirit shone through in stories of drag races with Montgomery County police—races he was said to always win.
A funeral Mass, officiated by Father Matt Buening, will be held at Saint Katharine Drexel on Friday, September 5, at 12:30 PM followed by a procession to Resthaven for internment.
Memorial contributions may be made in Jim’s name to the animal shelter.
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