TWA Captain Ronald Porter Stone “ran out of runway” (his words) and took his final flight on June 30th, 2022. He passed away at his new home in McKinney, Texas. By his side was his soulmate and the love of his life, Stacy Carlat Stone.
Affectionately known as Ronnie or “Little Brother”, Ron was born to Ira and Edith Stone on May 23rd, 1944 in Columbia, Tennessee, just south of Nashville. He was particularly proud of and influenced by his grandfather, “Daddy Newt” Fergurson, a small farmer with an infinite supply of energy and vigor that he unleashed on the family farm from sunup to sundown every day. The two would sell prized fruit and vegetables at the Columbia farmers’ market on Saturdays from Newt’s Fruits, which Ron always said with a chuckle. Forever in awe of Newt’s stamina and work ethic, Ron took the same with him throughout his professional life – even putting in numerous work hours from his home and the hospital the week of his passing.
Ron’s humble beginnings in Columbia - including an outhouse for a bathroom, a bicycle for transportation, and free reign of the town’s streets with his buddies (the wet behind the ears local boys who hustled up more than a dime or two in the pool hall) perhaps fed his innate ability to form strategies and lead corporations and operations to success. As a teen, he turned what was to be a “Let’s step out back” brawl into the formation of a hot rock n’ roll band, the Fairlanes. Ron was guitarist, playing rhythm and blues with the most popular party band on the regional social scene.
Athletic and exceptionally fast, he excelled as a star running back for the Columbia Lions. After high school graduation, he attended Columbia Military as a full scholarship recipient. Ron was proud to have graduated from the prestigious US government military academy. His skill on the playing field landed him a full football scholarship to the University of Tennessee, where he studied airline transportation management.
Ron’s unparalleled, 50+ year career in aviation began with a great Columbia story. He and his running buddy Jimbo were hanging out watching planes at the Hunter Field Airport, and as Jimbo told about a flight he had gotten to take, Ron decided he, too, was bound to have a love of flying. The two boys began daring one another to go inside and ask the cost of a flight lesson. “You go.” “No, you go” resulted in a coin toss, which our hero lost. He scraped up the money for an initial lesson, and immediately after that flight, signed up for a complete series. The next time Ron arrived at Hunter Field, he was armed with a personal loan from the downtown bank. From the moment he first sat in the cockpit of that J3 Piper Cub, Ron’s flying began! Imagine the instructor’s amazement when, on beginning his instructions, he quickly deduced that his student already knew how to fly. Ron had devoured the manual!
Ron flew corporate jets before flying for TWA as he and his wife at the time, Linda Stone, raised their children in Brentwood, TN, outside of Nashville. His 29 years of service with TWA included a quick rise to the rank of International Captain, and being selected as one of two pilots who successfully retrieved planes held hostage in the Middle East. He was offered a position on the TWA board when he announced his plan to take early retirement and pursue other ventures.
Ron had a burning passion for the Rocky Mountains and was an avid fly fisherman, skier, and golfer. With gear in tow, his next adventure took him west to Aspen Colorado, where he became the cofounder and CEO of Aspen Mountain Air, a regional airline. Aspen Mountain Air later acquired Lone Star Airlines, leading Ron to Texas. In Fort Worth at a downtown restaurant, he met Stacy. Ron, a polished, handsome and dapper business man, was as smitten by this joyful, passionately artistic Texas girl as she was by his kind eyes, gentle spirit, quick humor and especially his intellect. They married in Aspen on July 4, 1998, and their delightful partnership sustained throughout the last 25 years of Ron’s life, adventures, and accomplishments. The two, along with Stacy’s daughter, Caroline, created homes and communities as Ron worked in several of the west’s most iconic mountain destinations: Aspen, CO and surrounding areas, Jackson Hole, WY and Santa Fe, NM, where they were empty nesters. They maintained a permanent residence in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
One of the biggest highlights of Ron’s aviation career was the founding of a private jet FBO, Nashville Jet Center, where he frequently flew country music royalty including Elvis Presley, Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams Jr., and many more. Under Ron’s leadership as CEO and chief pilot, Nashville Jet Center became the #2 FBO in the country. It was subsequently sold to Signature. He also served as chief corporate pilot for the prestigious Spence, Moriarity, and Schuster Law Firm, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Perhaps the most important business endeavor was his contribution to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where Ron, perfectly suited for the role of lead consultant with his experience, intellect and knowledge of the Industry, set out to enhance and increase air service to Jackson Hole. The goals and strategies Ron implemented over 20 years ago resulted in the birth of Jackson Hole Air, the country’s preeminent passenger service of its type; and two successful expansions at the airport to handle the increased tourist seats, which brought a 60 percent drop in operational cost to the community and revolutionized the air service into and out of Jackson Hole.
Ron and Stacy began their final Texas adventure in 2020, building their new home in McKinney. Ron contributed the same diligent foresight and planning which characterized his career to setting up a future in which Stacy could continue to live honoring his passion for lifelong learning and authenticity. They were excited to make the move so that they could be a part of Stacy’s first grandchild’s life as well as the identical twins on the way from their daughter, Caroline. He also wants her to take classes, travel, and to frequently host family and friends whose dreams, pursuits, and laughter will be woven into his colorful and nurturing legacy.
Ron leaves behind his wife Stacy; children Shannon, Brett, and Matt, stepchildren Tony and Caroline; nephews and niece Andrew, Anthony, and Andrea; grandchildren Robert, John, and Emily; and countless trout in his favorite lakes, rivers, streams, and backcountry honey holes.
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, Blanche and “Daddy Newt” Fergurson; and stepson, Ryan Schifano.
The family will receive guests for a visitation from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, July 8, 2022 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas.
In lieu of a Memorial Service, Ron requested a Celebration of Life which will be held on Saturday, July 9, 2022. For more information, please contact ronstonememorial@gmail.com.