Bradd Ferraris
Coach Stone treated me like a son and taught me life skills I still employ to this day. Thank you Coach, you made a Hugh difference in my life. Bradd Ferraris
Birth date: Sep 22, 1941 Death date: Jan 1, 0001
Louis Ray Stone, 78, of Richardson, Texas passed away on Sunday, November 3, 2019, in Dallas, Texas of natural causes. He was born on Monday, September 22, 1941, to his loving and thoughtful parents, William Claude Stone and Mae L Read Obituary
Coach Stone treated me like a son and taught me life skills I still employ to this day. Thank you Coach, you made a Hugh difference in my life. Bradd Ferraris
Coach Stone was an excellent teacher and coach, and more importantly, an even better person. I was privileged to play under him for two seasons at Richland College. His office door was always open, and I was among many players and students -- both current and former-- to regularly visit. That says a lot when former players pay visits.
One of the courses he taught was first aid, and he put those skills to good use during a game when one of my teammates fell awkwardly on his head, losing consciousness. He likely helped save his life.
Being a high school and college basketball player himself, Coach Stone knew the game inside out and inspired players to perform their best. We worked hard in practice, but he wasn't the kind of coach who would make players perform endless drills and run for little reason. Practices were efficient, and our team won our regional conference both years. If the NJCAA had national playoffs back in 1978, that team would have been a strong candidate to win the national Division III title, as some subsequent Richland teams have done.
I was sports editor of the Richland student newspaper both of the years I played and wrote numerous stories on the team and Coach Stone from my unique insider's perspective. I attached the first story I did on Coach Stone and the team for the paper in 1977 when I just started in the media business as an 18-year-old. It’s not the best story I have ever done, but it was definitely on one of the best persons I have ever met.
We have lost a great man and friend. We sympathize with your loss, but know “Big Lou” is teeing up a golf ball or fishing in Heaven. We will see you Friday.