Clarence E. Stone

Clarence Eugene "Buck" Stone, 79, of Topeka, passed away Wednesday, July 5, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born August 4, 1943, in Alva, Oklahoma, the son of Chester Herbert and Ruby Viola (Tucker) Stone. He was the youngest of three children. He was a graduate of Alva High School, received an Associate Degree in Drafting and Design from Oklahoma State University, and he earned a Bachelors Degree with an Accounting Major from Emporia State University.

Clarence married the love of his life, Janice E. Willems, on July 30, 1967, in Inman, Kansas. Their married life started in Hutchinson, Kansas. They moved to Topeka, Kansas where they raised two children.

Clarence was a Certified Public Accountant. He was employed as a Controller, Chief Financial Officer, and the owner of businesses. He spent the last 17 years of his career as a Farm Bureau Insurance Agent, retiring in 2005.

Clarence lived life to the fullest, usually behind the wheel. He never met a stranger and always took time to ask how they were doing and to get to know them on a personal level. His kindness and approachability made an impression on everyone in his life. He loved talking with his morning coffee buddies and enjoyed visiting with friends at local car cruises. Clarence was always there to offer a helping hand. He loved to go on long country drives looking for wildlife and the next car project.

Clarence inherited a passion for cars and trucks from his father. He could be found in his shop tinkering with a car every evening before he retired and all day after retirement. He was involved in various car clubs over the years and loved auto racing.

His highest priority in life was family. Clarence never missed a school function or activity for his children or his grandchildren. He loved being "Papa" to his two granddaughters and enjoyed taking them on picnics in the park, to the zoo, and going to parades.

Clarence is survived by his wife of 55 years, Janice Stone of Topeka. Other survivors include his son, Chet Stone (Joshanna) of Topeka; his daughter, Shana Kemnitz (Jason) of Shawnee; 2 grandchildren, Kasha Kemnitz and Kali Kemnitz; his siblings, Thelma Mitchell and Gladys Trammell, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law, Joyce Blankenship and brothers-in-law, John Willems, Robert Trammell, and Vernon Mitchell.

A special thanks to his caregiver, Andrea Gilstrap for taking such loving care of him.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 28, 2023, at Covenant Baptist Church, 5440 SW 37th St, Topeka, KS 66614.

The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers memorials contributions may be given to Covenant Baptist Church Benevolence Fund or for the research of Charcot Marie Tooth Disease https://www.cmtausa.org/ways-to-give/inhonorinmemory/.

Dove Cremations and Funerals, Southwest Chapel is assisting the Family.

To share a memory of Clarence or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.