Obituary of Howard "KoKo" Stone

Howard Elmer Stone, 85, of Limon, Colorado passed away on November 20, 2015, with his family by his side. Howard, better known as KoKo, was born on June 15, 1930, to Elmer and Bertha (Ausmus) Stone, one of three children born to this union. KoKo grew up in Karval, Colorado before he moved to Limon as a sophomore and later graduated from Limon High School in 1948. He was very athletic and enjoyed participating in football, basketball and baseball while in school. Though he declined the offer, KoKo was offered a football scholarship at CSU. On June 20, 1949, KoKo married Josephine A. Landwehr, and the couple enjoyed more than 66 years of marriage. They were blessed with eight children and enjoyed raising them in a small town where they could attend all the events in which they were involved. KoKo and JoAnne owned and operated Koko’s Mobil beginning in 1953, and that business later transitioned into Stone Oil Company, where you could find KoKo every day until recent declining health forced him to become less involved with the day-to-day operations. He had many loyal customers whom KoKo considered friends. KoKo loved his wife, his children, his grandchildren and great grandchildren, and would light up when they were all together for family gatherings. He was a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church. KoKo’s favorite sport was baseball, playing semi-pro for many years in Hugo. His supreme talent in baseball was evident, to such a degree that he was offered a professional contract, which he declined because in those years salaries were insufficient to support the young family he had started. In later years he played fast pitch softball, where he continued to exhibit his hitting prowess. He continued playing basketball into adulthood. KoKo was an avid bowler, once recording a 764 scratch series. He also enjoyed elk hunting with his sons, and watching CU football games and Colorado Rockies games. KoKo was a past volunteer fireman, a past member of the Limon Town Board of Trustees, was the Honorary L Club recipient in 1971, Outstanding Limon High School Alumnus in 2012 and was inducted into the Limon Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. KoKo was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Bertha Stone. He is survived by his wife, JoAnne Stone of Limon, Colorado and their children; Ken (Kay) Stone of Monument, Colorado, Brenda Stone (Frank) Beck of Boulder, Colorado, Chris (Lotti) Stone of Sierra Madre, California, Dave (Lynette) Stone of Limon, Colorado, Mary (Bill) Casey of Elbert, Colorado, Rick (Shannon) Stone of Elizabeth, Colorado, Tom (Joan) Stone of Naperville, Illinois, and John (Becky) Stone of Meridian, Idaho. Koko is also survived by his 23 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, one brother, Jim (Lois) Stone of Karval, Colorado and one sister, Rita (Louie) Peteque of Goleta, California, and many nieces and nephews. KoKo will be missed by many.