Ron Stone, who died in May 2008, is a household name in Houston. The Houston Chronicle called him “The most popular and revered anchor Houston has ever seen.” Ron broadcast the news on Houston television stations KHOU and KPRC for over thirty years.
Ron began his broadcast journalism career in his native Oklahoma and then Kansas and was brought to Texas by a young newsman on his way up named Dan Rather. Ron covered crime and the courts before he moved inside as an anchor. Ron interviewed presidents and world leaders, witnessed executions at the state prison and covered wars in the Middle East. His most memorable assignment was announcing the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
Ron invested countless hours volunteering in the community and rarely declined speaking engagements. His tireless charitable work is perhaps best exemplified by his efforts for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and its telethons.
A strong believer in the preservation of Texas history and culture, exemplified by riding for many years with the Salt Grass Trail Riders to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Ron authored several books on Texas history and hosted the long-running Eyes of Texas TV program. Among the many awards Ron received, he was perhaps most proud of a singular honor from the Sons of the Republic of Texas: being named a Knight of San Jacinto.
Ron’s most cherished roles were those of husband to Patsy for 56 years, father to their four children and doting grandfather. His production company, Stonefilms, launched with his youngest son, Billy, and has grown into one of Houston’s most successful broadcast and corporate communications firms.