ELDER THOMAS K. STONE, SR.

ELDER THOMAS K. STONE SR. was born in Indianapolis, Indiana to the late Mr. T. K. and Willie Nancy Moore Stone on April 5, 1937. He attended Manuel High School and worked in the Automotive Manufacturing Plant Industry where he held various responsibilities as a forklift driver and an assembly line worker producing quality designs, improving new developments, and complying with the manufacturing safety procedures at Ford Motor Company for 35 years.

ELDER THOMAS K. STONE, SR. was a phenomenal man of noble character who worked tirelessly to support his family, community, and church. He went above and beyond for others.  He was selfless, honest, righteous, and a generous man who never complained even during his illness. He was a loving, supportive, tower of quiet strength for his wife. He was an excellent husband, father, grandfather, and godfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend.  He was an awesome provider creating a home of comfort and order with laughter.  He was a strict disciplinarian with a soft and gentle voice and he raised his children with love, dignity, and respect.  

ELDER THOMAS K. STONE, SR. loved to read and listen to quartet musical groups. His favorite sports were football and basketball and he was the family master chef of barbequing.  His favorite Western Movie was Gun Smoke and his favorite TV show was In the Heat of the Night. Every night, he craved his favorite snacks: ice cream, honey buns, and popsicles. ELDER THOMAS K. STONE, SR. was a car enthusiast and his favorite two vehicles were his Cadillac and Lincoln which were detailed, shinning, and well maintained all the time. ELDER THOMAS K. STONE, SR. was always fashionably and modestly dressed and adorned himself with holiness in clothes and modeled it for the world to see he was set-apart.

On March 29, 1956, ELDER THOMAS K. STONE, SR. was united in Holy Matrimony to Carolyn P. and they became a loving family. ELDER THOMAS K. STONE, SR. accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior on November 22, 1981 and God blessed him with the Precious Gift of the Holy Ghost. Being led by God, he and his family became faithful and dedicated members uniting with Open Door Church of Deliverance under the Leadership of Bishop Rufus C. Hicks in December of 1981. As stated in 1 Samuel 13:14, ELDER THOMAS K STONE, SR. was a man after God’s own heart. His life was in harmony with the Lord by loving his brethren, being obedient, and allowing God’s word to be rooted in his heart.

ELDER THOMAS K. STONE, SR.  was an Elder par excellence, a wise counselor, skillful, knowledgeable, and conquering prayer warrior, who severed as a Deacon, Minister, and Elder, Sunday School Superintendent, President of the Minister’s Board, and Men’s Ministry over 40 years under the Leadership of Bishop Rufus C. Hicks at Open Door Church of Deliverance as a facilitator and gatekeeper. Later, he was proclaimed as a good and faithful servant and appointed Assistant Pastor at Open Door Church of Deliverance for 25 years. 

Along with his son, Elder Thomas K. Stone Jr., ELDER THOMAS K. STONE, SR. became a beacon of light to Open Door Church of Deliverance Outreach Prison Ministry preaching and teaching at Marion County Jail, Liberty Hall and Wheeler’s Mission. He calmly navigated the charted course of his roles with grace, poise, wisdom, dignity and strength. His “down-to-earth” conversations drew a wide listening audience encouraging and leading others to repentance. He enjoyed reading and listening to God’s Word and it was his desire to live for Jesus.

 ELDER THOMAS K. STONE, SR, went home to be present with the Lord on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at the age of 85 years 7 months and 12 days. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. 

ELDER THOMAS K. STONE, SR. was preceded in death by his parents; T.K. and Willie Nancy Moore Stone: his daughter, Cynthia Stone; his son, Byron Frierson; his grandson, Anthony Stone; his brothers, Pastor Wallace O. Stone Sr., Bishop Joe C. Stoner, Rev. George Shannon, Donald and DeWitt, Calvin Shannon, Charles and James Palo; his sisters, Mariam O Macklin, Margaret Williams, Mary Richards, Mary Alice Dixon, and Willie Mae Franklin.  

He leaves to celebrate his life and cherish his memories: his beloved wife of sixty-six years, Missionary Carolyn P. Stone of Indianapolis, IN; his daughters, Raynatte Rollins (Otha)  of Indianapolis, IN; Stephanie Patrick (Eric) of Lakeland, FL; his sons, Thomas K. Stone Jr. of Indianapolis, IN; Jeffery Stone (Lori) of Lemars, IA; Thomas Anthony Stone (Martha) of New Albany, IN; Thomas D. Stone (Jennifer) of Indianapolis, IN; his 19 grandchildren, his eight great grandchildren;  his goddaughter, Sherrell Hicks (Rufus) of Indianapolis, IN; ELDER THOMAS K. STONE, SR. will be greatly missed by a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, relatives, his Open Door Church Family, and friends.   

“Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, and the things you never want to lose.”

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