Philip Lee Stone, 82, of Plymouth, Minnesota, passed away peacefully April 7, 2023.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Arzelle (Spenser) Stone; and a brother, Milt. He is survived by his wife, Catherine (Cathy); and by his sons, David (Kani) Stone, and children, Molly, Arne, Samuel, Fredrik and Anastasia, and Joe (Khanh Tran) Stone, and children, Raymond and Kylee.
Phil was born July 17, 1940, in Leon, Iowa. He grew up in Mt. Ayr, Iowa, always maintaining close ties with the class of 1958.
He had a passion for politics and music. Phil was always eager to discuss politics with a critical mind, and he took pride in his ability to clearly convey both sides of the arguments.
Phil graduated in 1962 from Northwest Missouri State and started teaching at Ogden High
School, continuing for 44 years. He received his master’s degree in 1968.
In 1973 he met a French teacher, Cathy Lawlor, and they were married on Flag Day, June 14, 1975.
Phil was a man of ordinary virtues. He loved being with his family, teaching, the state of lowa, raising his roses and working in his garden. He spent his summers preparing packets for his classes. He was a quiet man who had to read the paper every day.
He served God with peace and joy as is indicated by his many “projects.” One year in the
1970s, when a woman came to tell him she could find no one to head up the Democratic
caucus in Ogden, Phil said he would. He ran both, calling in the tallies to both parties.
Phil wanted the students to experience government in action so asked then-Principal Stan
Friesen to help organize a trip to Washington, D.C. This trip is still the senior trip at Ogden
High School.
When the couple moved to Perry, he headed up an auction of people’s talents for St. Patrick Church. It continued until 2018.
While Phil was running for State Representative — losing by 101 votes out of 10,000 cast — a Democrat friend asked whether he would consider teaching immigrants in preparation class for their U.S. citizenship test. He did this for many years and thoroughly enjoyed his students.
In 2005 Phil volunteered to take the place of a retiring director on the Perry City Council. He was appointed and ended up serving for 10 years on the council.
Phil organized tours of the wonderful Hotel Pattee in Perry until he moved to Plymouth, Minnesota.
Phil was a member of the Ogden and Perry Lions Clubs, serving as an officer in each club
and enjoying it very much . He initiated the eye screening in Perry that has been continued to this day.
In 1996 he won the State Teacher of the Year Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution, which included a wonderful reception in his honor.
Phil was quiet and humble person, well liked by many, and his wisdom will be missed by
those who knew him well.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be given to Helping Hands (Emergency
Fund) of St. Joseph the Worker. This fund helps people in need of rent, gas and many other
immediate necessities.
A funeral mass will be held Monday, May 1 at 11 a.m. with visitation in the hour preceding, at St. Joseph the Worker, 7180 Hemlock Lane North in Maple Grove, Minnesota.
