Earl Stone

Aug, 26, 1926-Sept 10, 2016 Earl Stone departed this life on Sept. 10, 2016, at his home in Mobile, Al., with family by his side. Earl was born 26 Aug. 1926 in Alachua Co. Florida, the forth son and fifth of six children of Jerry Alfred Stone and Jenny Mae Davis. He served in the US Navy during WWII as an Electrician's Mate aboard LST-637 and was aboard during several amphibious landings, including Guadalcanal. Earl would always love the Navy and consider his war service to be the most special time of his life. Upon returning home Earl attended Auburn University. His first real job after graduating was selling typewriters in Mobile. He excelled at sales and went on to sell and oversee installations of irrigation systems. He enrolled in a course taught by Dr. Gene Nutter at U. of Florida and learned enough about growing and maintaining turf to springboard into a decent career maintaining golf courses. It was Dr. Nutter who suggested Earl become a golf course architect. Earl's first commission was to design Lake Forest in Daphne, AL. The country club had intended Robert Trent Jones to design the course but gave Earl the job instead, which launched a successful career that was to last decades and include designs for over forty courses. Earl's professional favorites were Rock Creek in Fairhope, Al, Timber Creek in Daphne, Al., Rocky Bayou in Niceville, FL., and Eagle Point in Birmingham, AL. Earl also executed several course reconstructions projects including Azalea City and Skyline, both in Mobile, AL., and Indian Bayou in Destin, FL. He also did international work, including the Bahrain National Golf Club. And installation and maintenance of the turf for the Rashid Equestrian Club Race Track and the Bahrain National Soccer Stadium. Earl's irrigation experience was invaluable in the desert kingdom. He designed and installed custom water treatment and irrigation systems to ensure his efforts in Bahrain were successful. Earl was a single-digit handicapped golfer for many years and used his own experiences to guide his designs. He purposefully created courses to meet three objectives-challenge the pros, not intimidate the 18 handicapper, and be profitable for the course owners. He was proud that five of his courses were 5-Star rated and no Earl Stone designed course has ever gone bankrupt, regardless of the economy. Though occupied with the golf world, Earl's passion was cooking, which he did almost daily. His preference was French cuisine. In 2000-2001 Earl was one of the principal facilitators and a repair Crew Chief for the restoration effort of LST-325 in Mobile. Earl was preceded in death by his parents: an infant brother, George Stone; elder brother Jerry Daniel Stone, and elder sister Joyce Stone White. He leaves behind his dear wife of 53 years, Nancy Blaha Stone, his beloved sister Blanche Stone Echols and his 100 year old beloved big brother, William H. "Bill" Stone; several nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and countless wonderful friends. The family wishes to thank Dr. McGee and Nurses Donna and Mary, Dr. Arledge and Kim, caregivers Angela and Mitchell, Covenant Hospice and their staff A private burial service will be held at Pine Crest Cemetery in Mobile. Visitation to be held Friday, Sept. 16, 2016 at 1 pm followed by a memorial service at 2pm. In lieu of flowers suggested donations to Mobile SPCA, 620 Ziegler Blvd, Mobile, Al 36608 or you favorite charity. Condolences may be made at www.pinecrestfuneralhome.com