Laurence B. Stone

Laurence Bevan Stone passed away June 13, 2023 after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. He defied the disease at every turn and made the absolute most of his life after diagnosis. He was very grateful for the excellent medical care he got from Dr. Skomorowski (and Dr. Wulf before him) and the team at Central Ohio Medicine / Central Ohio Primary Care.

Larry was born and grew up in New Jersey - “a good place to be from” as he often said, and moved to the Midwest after being welcomed warmly at Michigan State University, where he majored in radio and television. There, he met his future wife Linda and set about on a unique and exciting career path. MSU and its public television station WKAR always held a special place in his heart and he often returned there to visit over the years, including several visits to Grandparents University with his grandkids in the 2010s and receiving an Outstanding Alumni award in 2018.

He received a BA in communications as well as an MA in education at MSU. Initially working as a cameraman and director in television after college, he soon found himself moving to Athens, Ohio where he was Director of Instructional Television and Radio. From there, he was recruited to lead a new company called Video Record in Columbus, Ohio. This cutting-edge company was recording video depositions for trials in the early 70s, far ahead of its time. Video Record was closed by its investors just as it became profitable and Larry was disappointed but turned that challenge into an opportunity by being selected in 1976 to start what would become his greatest work-related achievement.

As the first Executive Director and founder of the Ohio Judicial College, Larry set the standard by which judges in the state of Ohio are educated to this day. Although not an attorney (a fact he often pointed out), he learned a great deal about the law and its judicial applications and found the best resources to teach these materials to judges around the state. He was so successful at this that he was selected to spread his knowledge on a trip to China in 1988 and six trips to his beloved Ukraine. There, he helped develop the Supreme Court of Ukraine’s judicial education program. A Ukrainian flag still flies in front of his home to support the brave people there in their fight against aggression. He retired in 1996 shortly after serving as president of the National Association of State Judicial Educators from 1992-1994.

After somewhat predictably failing retirement - over 40 consulting projects were not enough work - he returned to full time work from 2003 to 2008 as judicial services coordinator for the Ohio Judicial Conference. He also worked as a volunteer videographer for the Ohio State University College of Medicine to support the important work of Humanism in Medicine, working with Linda in those efforts. However, his main focus after his second (successful) retirement was his work with Honor Flight.

Larry was born in 1942 and recalled the celebrations ending World War II. His three (much older) brothers served in the war and this motivated him to pay honor to veterans with Honor Flight - taking them to Washington, D.C. to see their memorials. He made 38 journeys as a guardian, designed the database they use to track participants, and made numerous training videos in use to this day including a video which has no doubt saved many veterans from falls with its careful instructions. His son Bob was able to accompany him on several guardian missions and he treasures those memories, along with the memories of two trips to The National World War II Museum in New Orleans which Larry took with his son and grandson Ben.

Through all the above, Larry was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. He was always present for his family and supported both his wife and son’s education through medical school. He has delighted in being a big part of the lives of his beloved grandchildren, Kate and Ben, including trips to Disney (Uncle Scrooge was his favorite character) and watching Duck Tails when the kids were younger. He also helped with school theatre productions doing lighting as well as camera work. Larry remained a vital part of the lives of every one of his family members and will be missed dearly.

Larry is survived by his wife Linda Chapman Stone, M.D. of nearly 58 years, his son Robert Laurence Stone, M.D., daughter-in-law Jennifer Ellen Stone (nee Nalborczyk) and two grandchildren, Kathryn Karen Stone and Benjamin Robert Stone, along with several cousins and nieces / nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents William Raymond Stone and Lillian Murray Stone as well as his brothers Hilt, Ray, and Bob.

Larry’s family will receive visitors from 10am to 12pm on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 prior to a 12pm Memorial Service at Schoedinger Worthington, 6699 N. High Street, Worthington, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the National Museum of World War II or the Michael J. Fox foundation.