David Leroy Stone II

After an incredible life that was filled with love, adventure and many accomplishments, David Leroy Stone II, 69, of Louisville, Tennessee, died tragically in a helicopter accident on September 3, 2022. Dave was a remarkable man in every way, with a beautiful, kind and loving soul. He had a peaceful calmness and gentleness within him that was comforting to his family and friends.

Dave was born on February 11, 1953 in Waynesboro, Georgia to Paul S. and Gloria Collins Stone. Dave graduated from the Edmund Burke Academy in Waynesboro in 1971 and the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1976 achieving a Bachelor of Civil Engineering.

From early on, Dave loved to fly and followed in his father’s footsteps to become a pilot. He began logging time when he was 13 years old and soloed on his 16th birthday. After high school, Dave enrolled in Georgia Tech. With the end of the college deferment program and a lottery number of 17, Dave interrupted his college studies to join the military, looking for a branch that would accept him as a pilot. He opted for the Marine Corp. His service of 1974-75 was cut short by the dismissal of his Officer Candidate School class at the conclusion of the Viet Nam War. He then returned to Georgia Tech to finish his engineering degree.

After college, Dave began crop dusting, flying “jumpers,” and flying night freight to log the required hours needed to be hired by a commercial airline. In 1981 he joined Piedmont Airlines as a first officer and three years later, Captain; the onset of a career transitioning through US Airways to American Airlines, flying internationally and retiring after 37 years of service. Concurrently with his commercial pilot career, Dave joined the Georgia Air National Guard 165th Tactical Airlift Squadron, Savannah, GA as a navigator on the C-130E and C-130H from 1978 to 1986. In 1987, Dave discovered his passion for flying helicopters when he joined the Tennessee Army National Guard 4/278th Armored Calvary Regiment where he flew Hueys, OH6, OH58, AF1F and Black Hawks. Dave retired from the United States Army National Guard after faithfully serving his country for 23 years, attaining the rank of both Captain and Chief Warrant Officer 3 and achieving many awards for his outstanding service. Dave’s honorable service made an indelible mark upon all of our nation’s service members, those who had the honor to serve with him, and those who carry the military ethos today.

In 2011, Dave married the love of his life, Terry. A ”jack of all trades,” Dave built his home, hangar and barn on the Tennessee River where he and Terry were enjoying life together at Stone Field, his airfield he shared with Terry’s horses. Dave enjoyed being a father to Laura Beth, playing with his granddaughters, horseback riding with Terry, and working with Terry on their many projects. His passion for flying continued with the Vans RV8 airplane that he built with a friend; and occasionally flying some aerobatic maneuvers with his RV8. He was a member of the Quiet Birdman, Experimental Aircraft Association, International Aerobatic Club and The Royal Air Force Club in London. His was a life well lived.

Dave was a true Southern gentleman with a genuine compassion and willingness to help others; he lived by his personal code of ethics and responsibility and his commitment to his family and friends. He had a determination and patience to solve complex problems and achieve his goals. His gentle grace, infectious sense of humor and adventurous spirit will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

Dave is predeceased by his parents, Paul S. Stone and Gloria Collins Stone, brother Paul Stone, Jr., and late wife Ronda Wills Stone. He is survived by his beloved wife of 11 years Terry Stone, daughter Laura Beth (Allison) Stone of Knoxville, TN; stepdaughter Dana (Kevin) Nusbaum of Cary, NC, stepson Tom Mergens of Luck, WI, granddaughters Jocelyn, Evelyn and Madelyn Nusbaum, brother Jesse (Amanda) Stone of Waynesboro, GA and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Blue skies and tailwinds, Dave.