Edward “Ed” H. Stone, native of Greensboro, Georgia and son of Joseph Ellison and Nellie Evelyn Little Stone, passed away on February 11, 2022, at the age of 81 in Fairfield Glade, Tennessee. He leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Fran Grainger Stone and their two daughters, Robyn (Rod) Isaacs; Lori (Jon) Badgett; four grandchildren, Stone and Dylan Isaacs and Ellie and Anna Badgett. He is proceeded in death by his parents and five siblings.
Ed’s involvement with the Methodist Church and Boy Scouts early on led him to an accomplished career in the travel and tourism industry. After graduating from the University of Georgia’s Journalism and Mass Communication School, his career began at Callaway Gardens where he met his wife, Fran. Their family moved to Nashville with Opryland USA in 1974 where he became Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations for the park, hotel and the Grand Ole Opry. In 1990, he started his own communications company with regional and national accounts. During his career, he served in leadership roles with Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), SATW Foundation, Travel Industry Association of America (TIAA), Southeast Tourism Society (STS), International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), University of Georgia College of Mass Communications, and Sequoyah Birthplace Museum.
An avid golfer, Ed played over 500 courses throughout the world and promoted travel with the sport until the very end. The lifelong friendships Ed made during his career meant the world to him. His greatest joys in life included spending time with family and friends, golfing with his buddies, traveling the world with Fran, and anything and everything related to Country Music. He supported his daughters in their careers, his grandchildren in their sports and hobbies, and loved his many dachshunds over the years. Ed celebrated most days with a 5pm Dewars with beloved friends at Pelican Sound or Fairfield Glade.
A casual Celebration of Life and Farewell Party is planned for March 25th at 1pm at the Country Music Hall of Fame Ford Theater.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Girls Give (https://www.cfmt.org/EllieAnnaFund) or Fairfield Glade United Methodist Church (https://www.ffgumc.org/give/)
Loved Ed.
Palmetto Dunes will miss Ed! We always loved talking to him as he walked his dog around the culdesac! He was a great guy!
My sincere condolences go out to Ed’s family during this difficult time in their lives. Having grown up in Greensboro, I remember ” Slick” well. He was always such a nice guy.
In 1958 my family moved back to Greensboro. As an Eagle Scout, I joined the local troop to find my new friend in Ed Stone. Many camp outs, trips to Rainey Mountain with the Order of the Arrow and constructing a totem pole is where I found Ed taking the leadership This lead to our summer at Curtis Farm where I was under him for the summer while Dick and family were on vacation.
Even though he was already at UGA and I was on my way to Ga. Tech at the end of summer ,we remained close friends.
We did have the opportunity to see each other over the years. He came the Opryland Hotel to see me and my family while on business trip. My wife also being from Greensboro it was like time had stopped and we were in High School with our visit.
Ed took the lead to get our old Scout troop together to show appreciation to Dr ,our Scoutmaster , who was getting up in age.
Ed reached out to me when he heard of my wife’s stroke two years ago.
We all are blessed to have childhood friends for life. That is what I can say about Ed “ Slick” Stone
The totem pole we were to build for the council ring at Rainey Mountain Scout Camp leads to one of the greatest funny stories in my memory about Ed Stone, illustrating his resourcefulness and ability to think on his feet. All chapters of the Order of the Arrow were to build and install a totem pole. At the Lodge meeting, each chapter had to make a report.
Athens: “Our totem pole is complete and in place.”
Gainesville: “We have finished the carving and now painting it.”
Elberton: “We have designed our totem pole carvings and almost finished carving so we can paint and install.”
Greensboro: (report by Ed Stone) “We have a tree picked out.”
Footnote: We finished our totem pole on time and it was one of the best, even with our relatively slow start.
Ed Stone led our effort and became a legend along the way.
I was shocked to learn of the Ed’s passing—America’s tourism and hospitality industry has lost a true giant! Endless memories of wonderful times shared with Ed at Opryland,Travel South and the Southeast Tourism Society during my tenure as South Carolina state tourism director. His sense of humor and indisputable charm touched me deeply and I’ll never forget a wildly dangerous white water rafting trip down the Flathead River in Montana —Ed and Fran brushed off the near fatal disaster with hardly a frown. His illustrious career spanned six decades in travel marketing and promotion, He had a special gift for writing launched in his youthful undergraduate days at the Henry Grady School of Journalism at his beloved Univerity of Georgia. He was a dean among members of the Society of American Travel Writers. Ed was the epitome of a Southern gentleman coupled with captivating class, compassion, caring and character—Ed was a friend, mentor and teacher. My heart aches with sorrow at this loss, I was totally unaware of any problem, but I know he went home with a special joy knowing his beloved “Bulldogs” were national football champs! There’s no doubt I’ll be seeing Ed’s incredible smile and receiving a loving hug when I join him in Heaven! I’m also certain he’ll hand me his incredible travel guide to the best golf courses in the heavenly realm. My heartfelt condolences, love and prayers to his precious family! We will all miss Ed , but we will never forget him!
A true FRIEND..always had a cheery word and smile.
Fran, was so saddened to read of Ed’s passing. Such a sweet kind man. Always had a smile on his face. I hope u can find comfort in all the wonderful memories of ur years together. When they r gone that’s all we have. I always loved our friendship and those beautiful daughters u have. I hope to come to the celebration for Ed. Just depends on how Zollie is doing. Everyday is a challenge. Love to u and ur family.
A really great guy who found our Fran during those magical Callaway “daze”! How very special! My heart reaches out to you, Fran. Love and hugs!
JeanAnn
We arrived at Pelican Sound about the same time as Ed and Fran, both having purchased new homes in Pelican Sound Golf and River Club 21 years ago. We were directly across the street from them and had no idea how fortunate we were to to be close to these dear people! A book could be written describing the many amazing experiences we enjoyed with them or in several cases in travel experiences Ed had arranged for us. His generosity, sharing and story-telling was incredible! Ed and Fran spent some time with us at our Minnesota home several years ago creating a good memory. He had been in 48 of the 50 states with North Dakota being one of the two missing. We picked them up in Mpls and after testing our golf courses took them to the Fargo, North Dakota airport and his list of missing was now down to one.
As we travel through this short time of life on earth, most of are so fortunate if we meet only a few individuals who have the impact that Ed had on others and the world around him. His contributions to Pelican Sound were tireless and endless. There is a big void left now that will always be filled with the thoughts, experiences and memories of this wonderful friend to all of us. Rest In Peace, dear friend!
I’m so glad to have met Ed decades ago — and to have quickly been able to cosndier myself a friend of this fine man. Always a smile, always giving. Rest easy, Ed.
Joe and I are saddened and shocked to hear of Ed’s passing. Our Opryland days will forever be remembered and linked to Ed Stone. You can’t say Opryland without mentioning, knowing, and loving Ed. In addition, we are privileged to have reconnected with Ed and Fran during their tenure in southern Florida. It is a gift to have shared so many fond memories. Our hearts go out to the entire Stone family during this difficult time. RIP Ed Stone…you were loved by many.
Ed was always so jovial and always had a twinkle in his eye. I’m sure he will be much missed by his family who he adored so much.
So long GURU. I’ll never forget you and all the good times we had on your Travel writers trips here in Florida. You and I became good friends and shared many memories on those trips, you as the host and escort and me as your driver. You will be remembered by so many who’s lives you touched but we share a Special bond that will always be with me.
Thinking Fran and the girls. Ed was such an integral part of Southeast Tourism Society. We’ll never forget his smile and devotion to STS Marketing College.
Fond memories of Ed Stone will last a lifetime. Ed was one of those true friends who was always there with a kind word, a funny story, a birthday or anniversary greeting or just a phone call to keep in touch. We shared so many good times in Scouting, the Greensboro First Methodist Church, The Greensboro Tiger Band, summers at the Curtis Farm, and many more. There will no doubt be a book (with many pictures included), but I will share one of my first and most indelible memories of Ed Stone. In 1956 my family moved to Greensboro, Georgia. I was almost eleven years old when I first met Ed at the Methodist Church. He introduced me to Scouting (Ed was 16 then and already an Eagle Scout) and soon i joined Troop 222 as a very inexperienced Tenderfoot. Ed took me under his wing and helped me learn many skills that led to my own lifelong involvement and interest in Scouting. At my very first campout in the early Spring of 1957 (at E.H. Armor’s fish pond in Greene County), Ed made sure I learned how to pitch my tent, build a proper fire for cooking, and helped me cook my own breakfast over the open fire. I felt very grown up, and Ed Stone had taken the time to be certain I got off to the right start. How many hundreds or thousands of people did Ed mentor and help in much the same way. My friend Ed Stone was a remarkable man, and I know that many people valued his friendship and join in supporting Fran, Robyn and Lori during this difficult time of transition. Godspeed, my friend.
Many years ago he was my student, he became a dear friend, and finally one that I admired and loved. He had a great influence on my life and so many others. We will miss you dear friend.
This is such a surprise. I was just in Nashville speaking to an Opryland alum about Ed’s annual Opryland alumni get together.
I worked for Ed in Information Services, Marketing and Group Sales in the mid seventies. As someone else said, he was a giant in the industry.
May his memory be a blessing to his family and to those who knew him. I know I will always remember him and be grateful for having worked under his tutelage.