Donald Lloyd "Don" Stone

Sioux City—Donald (Don) Lloyd Stone, 87, formerly of Sioux City, passed away peacefully Sunday, May 22, 2011, at his home in Colorado Springs, Colo.
At his request, a celebration of his life will be 11 a.m. Saturday, June 4, at Morningside Presbyterian Church in Sioux City. Arrangements are under the direction of Shrine of Remembrance Funeral Home in Colorado Springs and Larkin Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Homes in Sioux City.
Born Sept. 11, 1923, in Whiting, Iowa, Don and his family moved to Sergeant Bluff when he was in third grade. He graduated from Sergeant Bluff High School in 1941.
Don started his career in broadcasting with radio station KSCJ while attending Morningside College. “In 1941, when I was a freshman, KTRI offered the college the opportunity to present a weekly quarter-hour program,” Don recalled. “Dr. Roadman, Morningside College’s president at the time, asked Ted Walensky and me to put it together. We recruited George Holcomb and Cliff Mahrt to assist, and the four of us became radio ‘stars.’ It was my first experience with broadcasting and I never looked back.”
Don served 30 years at KSCJ radio in all capacities, including two stints as guest master of ceremonies on the Don McNeil Breakfast Club Radio Show in Chicago in 1957 and 1958. During this time, Don also worked at KTIV television station, serving as program director until 1972, when he retired from broadcasting because of ‘the paucity of respectable programs available from which to choose.” Stone segued from broadcasting into public relations for Norwest Bank, now Wells Fargo, serving as marketing director for 12 years. His last professional position was a 10-year stint as director of development for the Boys and Girls Home of Sioux City. Don has been in demand as a speaker, Toastmaster and master of ceremonies for various organizations throughout Northwest Iowa for more than 60 years.
Known for his love of music and singing, Don served as host and sing-along director of the Municipal Bank concerts at the Grandview Park Bandshell for 44 years. In 2008, he was honored as Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors for the Ancient and Effervescent Order of the Little Yellow Dog, for his 54 years of committed service to that organization. Don emceed the Top Five Percent Recognition Banquet of local high schoolers for Kiwanis for 35 years. He served as moderator for Siouxland High School Quiz Bowl for 20 years. Don was founding director of the local Crime Stoppers and a founding member of AID Inc. He was campaign chairman for the Salvation Army Red Shield Club, president of Morningside Alumni Club and served on various local boards, including the Sioux City Symphony, Youth Symphony, Red Cross, United Way, Airport Board, Rivercade, Traveler’s Aid and Leadership Sioux City.
Stone received multiple accolades and awards for his contribution to the Siouxland community. He was honored by the Elks Club for his 35 years of participation in its Flag Day Ceremonies. In 1999, Don was honored as the Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the local Lions Club. In 2000, the Sertoma Club presented him with the Service To Mankind award. Stone was delighted to become the area’s first “Siouxland Treasure” in 2004.
Don was a member of Morningside Presbyterian Church for more than 58 years, serving as elder and occasionally delivering the sermon in the pastor’s absence. He was married to Jean Woodford Stone for 57 ‘glorious’ years (his words), and they had two daughters, Donna Stone Sacco and Deanna Stone Asbell. When his health began to deteriorate, Don moved to Colorado Springs to be closer to family, but his heart remained in his lifelong hometown of Sioux City.
He is survived by his daughters, Donna Sacco of Colorado Springs, and Deana Asbell, of Esko, Minn.; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William G. Stone and Anna Conley Stone; his wife, Jean Woodford Stone; and four brothers.