John Clinton Stone

John Clinton Stone, age 89 of Cottage Grove, passed away peacefully on Feb. 26. 

After moving to Minneapolis from California as a child, John enjoyed riding his bike to Nicollet Stadium to shag foul balls at Minneapolis Millers games. His youth was interrupted by the Korean War, where he served in the US Army before returning to his beloved partner, Marian. Together they built a home and a family of five children, eight grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. John was very proud of this.

He was also proud to have completed his GI Bill education at the University of Minnesota. With his chemical engineering degree, he spent decades as a 3M scientist and inventor. After retiring, he devoted much time to an enduring passion: baseball. John was an avid Twins fan with a keen mind for the game, a gift he shared with his family. A talented athlete, especially at shortstop, he earned Senior Olympics medals in softball. John loved Elvis, Coca-Cola, and reading the newspaper. He was generous and stubborn, and always had Tootsie Rolls on his desk.

John is survived by darling wife Marian; children Debbie Stone, Chuck (Kris) Stone, Jody Lehman, and Amy Elisabeth Lee; brother Ned Stone; sisters Joy and Nancy Martin; grandchildren Hannah (Ethan) Lehman-Derhy, Karlee (Jake Knight) Weinmann, Nash (Mieko) Robinette, Sam (Christine Flauta) Engebretson, Sergio Portesan, Mayson (Travis Reiman) Lehman, Madi (Mason VanAsten) Stone, and Kallie (Nathan Virasith) Stone; great-grandchild Cole; and close friend Ron Christenson.

He is preceded in death by cherished son Todd and parents Janet Martin and Charles Stone.  

Private services will be held. In lieu of flowers or other memorials, the family requests you enjoy a Twins game this season.