SSgt. Jack Barnett Stone

Born November 3, 1924 to parents Benjamin H Stone and Birdie Vinson Stone (Barnett) in Cunningham, Texas, Jack Barnett Stone died September 26, 2016 at the Oregon Veterans Home in The Dalles, Oregon.

Born the seventh of ten children, Jack moved with the family to California during the late depression years. It was there that Jack met his wife, Lovetta Louise Wheeler. They were married June 8, 1943 in Reno, Nevada and celebrated more than 61 years of marriage until her death on February 13, 2005.

Jack entered the US Army in 1943 during the height of World War II as part of the 33rd Infantry Division. After advanced jungle warfare and ranger training in Hawaii, his division was sent to New Guinea in May 1944. They engaged in the fighting there until landing with the Sixth US Army on the island of Luzon, Philippines in February 1945 where the 33rd saw 139 days of combat. Jack's regiment was engaged in heavy action during the liberation of Baguio, the summer capital of the Philippines, and the headquarters of General Tomoyuki Yamashita. Traveling with the occupation forces to Japan in 1945, now a Staff Sergeant, Jack earned the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Service Star, the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and was honorably discharged in early 1946.

After the war, Jack rejoined his family and met Steve, the son he had never seen. The family lived in Selma, California where he saw the birth of his second son, Lance. Moving to LaGrande, Oregon in 1949 a third son, Michael, was born.In the early 50's after moving the family to Portland Oregon, Jack and Louise completed their family with the addition of Jeffrey and Tammie.

Jack moved his family to Oregon House, California in 1973, where he was employed by the Yuba-Sutter Mosquito and Vector Control District until his retirement in 1986.

Loving father and husband, Jack was an avid sportsman and outdoorsman all his life. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends and there surely must be many fish and fowl that are relieved to hear of his passing!

Jack is survived by his brother, sister, five children, eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews too numerous to list.

A military service will be held in Sutter, California at a time yet to be determined.

(Published in Appeal Democrat on Oct. 14, 2016 - Marysville, CA. Names of survivors omitted).