HOUSTON -- Family, friends and neighbors said their final goodbyes to beloved longtime KPRC TV anchor Ron Stone on Friday.

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Hundreds Bid Final Farewell To Ron Stone:
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Ron Stone Memorialized As Broadcaster, Family Man, Neighbor:
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Stone, 72, died Tuesday of prostate cancer.

Hundreds of people packed into Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church to honor a man who was welcomed into thousands of homes for more than three decades.

The service matched the man -- unpretentious and straightforward. The chapel was filled with friends, family and co-workers.

"I have to say about this man, he's just one of those people -- he falls into the category of those people you just couldn't get quite enough of," said the Rev. Dr. David A. Peterson, Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church senior pastor.

Stone was from a one-stoplight town in Oklahoma who thought Houston was heaven on earth.

He had a gift for communication that made him part of every Houstonian's family.

"He had an incredible, incredible connection with that camera. I mean he just leapt right through it and came right into your living room and he really was your neighbor," said Ann Hodges, former Houston Chronicle TV writer.

Stone also worked countless telethons to try to eradicate muscular dystrophy. That's how Denise Afeyier first met him when she was a 15-year-old volunteer.

"I cried a lot the last two days cause that man meant a lot to me. He had heart of gold. Nobody can tell you how much that man meant to us," Afeyier said.

Stone embraced broadcasting as a public trust and set standards still unmatched. He also helped train a generation of young journalists.

"He showed you how to do it without saying, 'Here's how to do it,'" said Dan O'Rourke, a former KPRC anchor.

"We should have sent Channel 2 a check every month to have the honor of working with that guy," said Diane Kaminsky, a former KPRC producer.

"I learned so much from him. Learned lot about writing, a lot about professionalism, a lot about giving back to the community," said Dena Marks, a former KPRC producer.

"It was great working with him," former KPRC TV reporter Rick Hartley said. "Ron was the professional in the greatest way. He was a compassionate man and he was a really neat guy; a one-of-a-kind to work with."

"A lot of people didn't realize the importance that Ron placed on what he did every day," said Ron Franklin, former KPRC TV sports director. "He had so much pride in his work. Another thing that I always said and marveled at him with is the fact that Ron was good every day. Everybody's not good every day. You have ups and downs, hills and valleys. Ron was good every day."

"He was a great storyteller," former KPRC TV weatherman Doug Johnson said. "He loved everybody whoever watched, I think. That was one of the reasons why everybody welcomed him in so much. He was never a host; he was always a guest."

Stone was also remembered as the family man, church elder and friend -- the man who loved this city and the people in it.

"When I think of Ron, I just get an overwhelming sense of decency. The world's got plenty of intellect and money and athletic ability, but it just needs more Ron Stone," said Paul Hobby, a former owner of KPRC TV.

"He came to this city, fell in love with it and decided he wanted to leave it a better place and spent the rest of his adult life trying to do that," son Ron Stone Jr. said. "He gave of his time in countless ways and methods and means cause he loved Houston, so that's how I hope he's remembered, as a great civic leader, not just as a guy who sat on TV and read words every night."

Many viewers attended the service to say goodbye to their favorite neighbor they never met in person.

"This whole community has been touched by that family," one woman said.

"I've heard more people say the same thing -- that on television and radio he sounds like the nicest guy on Earth," said Kameron Searle of the Sons of the Republic of Texas. "In person, he was the nicest guy on Earth."

The traditional memorial service included two hymns, "How Great Thou Art" and "Amazing Grace."

One of his favorite songs, "Oh, Had I a Golden Thread" by folk singer Pete Seeger, was also played.

The Rev. Dr. David A. Peterson and the Rev. Dr. M. Douglas Harper presided over the service, sharing stories of how Stone was an active member at the church and a leader of the community.

But most of all, Stone was dedicated to his family.

He was surrounded by his loved ones when he passed away in his Houston home. He leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Patsy; sons Ron Stone Jr. and Billy; daughters Robin Brown and Julie Payne; and nine grandchildren.

Stone was a daily fixture for KPRC viewers from 1972 until he retired in 1992 and formed a production company. Prior to that, Stone worked at KHOU TV for 10 years.

He was known for being a renowned storyteller and masterful writer. His signature sign-off of "Good night, neighbors" reflected his down-home style.

Stone was very active as a member of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church. A few years ago, he penned "Growing in God's Grace," a book memorializing the church's 50 years.

The family asked that in lieu of usual remembrances, contributions in memory of Ron Stone be directed to the Ron Stone Foundation for the Enhancement and Study of Texas History, 1900 South Blue Bell Road, Brenham, TX, 77833; or to the Houston Food Bank, 3811 Eastex Freeway, Houston, TX, 77026.

KPRC Local 2 will air a special tribute, Remembering Ron Stone, on Saturday from 7-8 p.m.