Thomas was born on November 25, 1932 in Wagner SD, the second child of Carl H. and Ida Belle (Barkley) Stone.  He attended Kennedy #2 through the eighth grade and graduated from Wagner High School in 1950.  He attended Southern State College 1951-53 graduating with an Associate Degree in Automotive and Auto Body Mechanics.  He was drafted into the U.S. Army in August 1953, served in Germany as a wheel vehicle mechanic and was discharged in June 1955.

He married the love his life, Elaine Ruth Thaler on July 12, 1955.  They were blessed with two children Clifton and Wendy.  After their wedding he worked for two years as an auto body technician/shop foreman.  He then returned to college and completed his BS degree in August 1959.  He taught in Chamberlain High School for four years during which time he completed his Master’s degree at Colorado State University.  In the fall of 1963, he joined the faculty of Southern State College (USD/S), Springfield SD.  He helped develop the Voc-Tech Teacher Education program and served as the first full time Professor in the program.  He advanced to Chairman of the Vocational & Industrial Education Division and served as the Dean of the College from 1974-84.  While at Southern he continued his education and earned a PhD in Administration and Supervision of Voc-Tech Education in 1969 from Colorado State University.

In 1984 he moved to Southeast Community College, Milford NE and served there as the President/Director until he retired July 1, 1995.  In 1996, he was awarded the American Technical Education Association’s Outstanding Service Award and in Sept. 2010 he was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame.  During his career he received many other awards and served on several local, state and national committees.  He was a life member of the American Vocational Association and served as the Regional President of the American Technical Education Association.

He is survived by his wife Elaine, children Clifton (Cathy), Wendy (Kevin Nelson), grandchildren Josh (Rachel) Miedema, Michelle (BJ) Bauer, Jason (Amber), great grandchildren Wiley Bauer, Temple Stone, Alistair Miedema and Scout Stone, Brother Merle (June), Sister Lois (Eugene) Carda, Elaine’s sisters Frances Ramsdell and Jean Heida.

He was proceeded in death by his parents Carl and Ida Stone, in-laws Frank and Mable Thaler, sister Thelma and brother-in-law’s, Reo Meyer, Leon Thaler and Leonard Thaler.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Tom are preferred:

1) ParkinsonsFoundation.org  or  Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1^st Street, Suite 800, Miami FL 33131

or

2) Springfield College Museum   –       Friend of Pointer, PO BOX 328, Springfield SD 57062

1. Add to favourites
2. Report abuse