Thomas Chilton Stoner III of Uvalde passed away on May 13, 2016, at his Stray Star Ranch home at the age of 92. It is usual at this time to tell of a man’s accomplishments. His greatest accomplishment was his family, who he dearly loved and cherished and who loved him as well. Chilton’s appreciation of the old West drove his life, his great idealism of the character of the people who founded and settled this part of the country was immense. Thomas Chilton “Chili” Stoner III moved to the Nueces Canyon at the family ranch from his childhood home on Mulberry Street in Uvalde. Later, he married Shirley Ann Harp also from Uvalde on Christmas Day 1964 at the First Presbyterian Church. Thomas Chilton Stoner III was born to Thomas Chilton Stoner Jr. and Mattie Lynn Crawford Stoner on February 20, 1924. He had an undistinguished early education as he was always running off to be a cowboy on grand and legendary Southwest Texas ranches. But the call of duty soon rang and at the age of 19 he joined the Navy serving in World War II. In the South Pacific, Chilton was active in 27 major engagements and in most of the legendary battles of the War including the Solomon Islands and Guam. He was manning a 5” gun when the USS Idaho moved in to close range for the legendary battle of Iwo Jima where the raising of the American Flag was iconically photographed. He was on active duty in Tokyo Harbor when the Japanese surrendered. Chilton came back to the States and immediately set about taking his education seriously, enrolling at Southwest Texas Junior College. Before he was done, he had a bachelor’s and two master’s degrees from Sul Ross University, all in advanced agricultural studies. Chilton then joined the newly formed Southwest Texas Junior College (founded in 1946) as head of the agricultural department and organized and coached the rodeo team. In his 32 year tenure at the junior college he began his legendary career as a great educator and mentor of many of the greatest young cowboys and cowgirls in modern rodeo history. Mr. Stoner is survived by his wife of 51 years, Shirley Stoner; two sons, Thomas Chilton Stoner IV and wife, Marilyn, of Camp Wood; Joe Pat Casey of New York and his partner, David Leighton; three daughters, Lee Ann Kramer and husband, Leslie, of San Antonio; Nancy Espaillat and husband, Jay, of Dallas; and Lynn Spires of San Angelo; eight grandchildren, Brandon Elrod and wife, April, Casey Elrod and wife, Crystal Piokowski, Harper Espaillat, Hathaway Espaillat, Shauna Nunn, Victoria Spires, William Spires, and Mariah Spires; and seven great-grandchildren, Makenna Elrod, Holden Elrod, Cailey Sieler, Cayden Sieler, Gaige Elrod, Kylie Elrod, and Kayla Elrod. Pallbearers were Brandon Elrod, Casey Elrod, Luke Teague, John Earl Teague, Jesse Paul McBeth, Mark Kirkpatrick, Leslie Kramer, and Jay Espaillat. The family was overwhelmed by the respect, love and appreciation of his many friends and loved ones who all payed their respects. Interment was at Montell Cemetery on Monday, May 16, 2016. Funeral arrangements were by Rushing Estes Knowles Mortuary. “Bury me not on the lone prairie, where the coyotes howl and the wind blows free; bury me at the base of the mountain, where the clear waters of the Nueces flow, where friends and loved ones have gone before. Montell – where the church bell rings, heralding the coming of spring. It is here that I have chosen My eternal rest, until my savior calls, “Come home!” Poem by T. C. Stoner III.
THE PRECEDING IS A PAID OBITUARY.
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