Eric Christopher Stone
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Eric Christopher Stone was born on August 19th, 1946, and passed away on May 24, 2018. He was born in Seattle, WA, spent his early years in Aberdeen, and lived the majority of his adult life in the Kent and Auburn, WA area. He was a 6 year resident of San Tan Valley, AZ at the time of his passing.
Eric was devoted to God and Country, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and loyal friend to many.
A man of many talents and passions, over the years he was he was a valiant soldier, private pilot, and a true cowboy, a photographer, he loved riding his Harley, and collecting western art and music. He enjoyed playing rhythm guitar in a country band, crafting tooled leather goods, making beaded hat bands, riding horses, and could often be found immersed in his loves of flight and guns at airplane museums and local air and gun shows. He enjoyed encouraging people and making them smile.
His greatest love was dance. It was a passion that started from a very early age, when he met Fred Astaire when he was 11 years old. He was an accomplished ballroom and country dancer. He will be fondly remembered by those who loved him most as one of the best at rumba and west coast swing.
Eric was a decorated Army veteran of the Vietnam War and had a life-long devotion to remembering his brothers-in-arms. He regularly participated in the Patriot Guard and other Veteran’s and Memorial Day celebrations to honor those who served and who gave their last full measure of devotion.
Eric is survived by his beloved wife, Joyce Carpenter; son, Shane Stone; step-daughter, Julie Sedgwick; his sister, Kathrin Hefa; his grandchildren, Anna Sedgwick, Michael Stone, Jessica Bombardier, Eric Stone, Aiden Stone, and Tarryn Stone; and great grandchildren Gage, Ryleigh, Mason and Luca.
A memorial service will be held in remembrance of Eric on June 9th at 10:00am at Central Church, 965 E Germann Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85297.
There will be a formal military service with honors held for Eric at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington on Tuesday, August 21st at 10:00am.
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Tom Myers says: Eric Christopher Stone
…he had a faith and trust in God and Country with no bounds.
…he faced and persevered many challenges in his life.
…in search for inspiration, insight, and advice he was my mentor.
…whether beside you, behind you, or on point he brought safety and comfort.
…I will miss him until I too am called home to be with the Lord.
…he was more than my hero; he was my best friend.I extend my deepest condolences to Joyce, Eric’s family and friends as we grieve.
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Ron Holz says:
Eric taught me how to overcome my issues from Vietnam, he would call just to check on me, he was a Hero in my eyes and many others, my heart goes out to family and friends in this time of grief.
Eric will never be forgotten, God Bless him.
Ron Holz
4TH INF.DIV. Vietnam -
Richard Beard USMC VET Vietnam says:
God Bless his Family in this time of sorrow. Rest In Peace my Brother.
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Stephanie DeRango says:
I do so wish that Ric could see how loved he is. From the brotherly advice he gave me in high school to the truck driving stories we shared in our dotage I am grateful to have shared space in my life with him, and glad he was there. I cannot imagine how painful this is for his family but my prayers are with them.
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Lloyd Herrin says:
Eric was a true hero in the eyes of all his brothers in arms. He did his job and did it well. He will be missed by all of the 271st vets who knew him well. I missed my last chance to see him as medical issues kept me from going to the reunion in Jan. God Speed Eric, we’ll meet again.
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Kenneth Stewart USMC/Ret. says:
He was a good guy.Semper fidelis/RIP.
Tom Myers 
Ron Holz 
Richard Beard USMC VET Vietnam 
Stephanie DeRango 
Lloyd Herrin 
Kenneth Stewart USMC/Ret.
Eric Christopher Stone
…he had a faith and trust in God and Country with no bounds.
…he faced and persevered many challenges in his life.
…in search for inspiration, insight, and advice he was my mentor.
…whether beside you, behind you, or on point he brought safety and comfort.
…I will miss him until I too am called home to be with the Lord.
…he was more than my hero; he was my best friend.
I extend my deepest condolences to Joyce, Eric’s family and friends as we grieve.
Eric taught me how to overcome my issues from Vietnam, he would call just to check on me, he was a Hero in my eyes and many others, my heart goes out to family and friends in this time of grief.
Eric will never be forgotten, God Bless him.
Ron Holz
4TH INF.DIV. Vietnam
God Bless his Family in this time of sorrow. Rest In Peace my Brother.
I do so wish that Ric could see how loved he is. From the brotherly advice he gave me in high school to the truck driving stories we shared in our dotage I am grateful to have shared space in my life with him, and glad he was there. I cannot imagine how painful this is for his family but my prayers are with them.
Eric was a true hero in the eyes of all his brothers in arms. He did his job and did it well. He will be missed by all of the 271st vets who knew him well. I missed my last chance to see him as medical issues kept me from going to the reunion in Jan. God Speed Eric, we’ll meet again.
He was a good guy.Semper fidelis/RIP.