September 19, 1939 – December 31, 2023
SOUTHERN SHORES — James Franklin “Frank” Stone, 84, a long time resident of Southern Shores, NC, died peacefully in his home surrounded by his loved ones on December 31, 2023.
Frank was born in Durham, NC on September 19, 1939 to Edward Carl Stone, Jr. and Nellie Waldo Adams Stone. He was raised in Durham where he enjoyed showing his award-winning springer spaniel and assisting his family in breeding horses and various dog breeds. He also learned the meaning of hard work early in life by laboring on his family’s turkey farm.
He graduated from Durham High School in 1957 before attending Louisburg College. It was there that he met his first wife and mother of his children, Joyce Woodlief Stone. Frank went on to earn a BS degree in business from East Carolina University in 1962.
Mr. Stone began his career in insurance but was soon recruited into the banking industry by Planters National Bank. While with PNB, he resided in Roanoke Rapids, Powells Point, and Ahoskie. In 1970, he made the Outer Banks his family’s permanent home when he joined East Carolina Bank and opened the first ECB branch on the beach located in Nags Head.
In 1972, he discovered his calling for real estate, and by the mid 1970’s, he purchased Southern Shores Realty. Everything he endeavored to do was approached with a determination to complete it with perfection. His hard work, dedication, and ingenuity earned him great success in building Southern Shores Realty into the legacy it remains today.
During this time, he also served on the Dare County Planning Board and was a Boy Scout troop leader. Some scouts nicknamed him “Sargent Carter!”
Frank had a passion for golf and enjoyed longtime friendships during his years playing golf. As a young adult, he was involved in the planning and development of the first golf course on the Outer Banks, now known as Duck Woods Country Club. Not only was he a founding member of DWCC, he also served on the board and was club president. He was also a founding member of Kilmarlic Golf Club. Other memberships Mr. Stone enjoyed were at Devils Knob Golf Course at Wintergreen Resort, VA and Highlands Ridge Golf Course near Sebring, FL. In addition, he was fortunate to have had the opportunity to play rounds at several renowned courses across the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Frank had many other interests and hobbies: dabbling in some and investing much time and energy in others. Some activities included hunting, airplane flying lessons, poker playing, raising a herd of goats, and spending therapeutic hours piddling in his well-stocked workshop.
His adventurous spirit truly revealed itself when he had the time and resources to enjoy the fruits of his labor. At over the age of 50, Frank visited Park City, Utah and learned to snow ski. He was hooked and spent a good part of his next 10-15 winters there. He also purchased his first of several motorcycles. When no longer able to snow ski, Frank began spending much of his winters in Florida where he was fortunate to have great friends to play golf and ride his motorcycle with. He loved riding his motorcycles and even rode one all the way to central Florida on one of the coldest days of January!
In his later years of life, Frank enjoyed more simple pleasures, like sipping a scotch while watching amazingly gorgeous sunsets from his deck.
At times, Frank Stone was a force to be reckoned with; however, he had a huge heart and loved his family and friends deeply. He was a charitable man with a genuine concern for those less fortunate, and he often provided private support for those in need.
There was never a dull moment around Frank Stone. Throughout his full life, he made his mark. He had a big personality, was cleverly inventive and resourceful, had a wicked sense of humor, and loved a good prank. Most importantly, he was a constant source of strength for his family. He was loved by many and will be deeply missed.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Stone was preceded in death by his loving wife, Wanda Halsey Stone; his brother, Edward Carl Stone, III; his sister and brother-in-law, Susan Stone Herring and Charles Michael Herring; and his nephews, Edward Carl Stone, IV, Larry Allen Stone, and Jonathan Michael Herring.
Frank is survived by his devoted companion, Betsy Robbins of Powells Point; his son, James Franklin Stone, Jr. and his wife Cindy of Southern Shores; his son, Michael Keith Stone and his wife Denise of Southern Shores; his daughter, LeAnne Stone Laughlin and her husband Andrew of Charlotte; and his two grandsons, John Adams Laughlin and Samuel Stone Laughlin of Charlotte, who affectionately call him “Bubba.” Also surviving are his sister-in-law, Syble Stone Cox of Holly Springs; and niece, Michaelle Herring Overman of Elizabeth City. He is also survived by many extended family members and friends. His most loyal companion was Buddy, an eight-year-old Maltese.
The family would like to thank Adoration Home Health & Hospice. A special thank you to all of his home health care workers for their compassionate and attentive care. The family would also like to express their love and appreciation to Betsy Robbins for her loving support and care of Frank these past years.
A service to celebrate Frank’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at Duck Church with Rev. Chris Gourley officiating. Reception will follow at Duck Woods Country Club. Inurnment in Southern Shores Cemetery will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectively requests that donations be made to Adoration Hospice to PO Box 1329, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 or to the Navy SEAL Foundation fundraiser in his nephew’s honor at https://allenstone.enmotive.com/events/donate/dac287f3-fa65-4fcb-8ef7-be5ed5a24003 or may be mailed to NSF, Attn Scott Burke, 1619 D Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23459.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.
