Legacy-leaving ag leader dies at 101
George W. Stone, Oklahoma Farmers Union's longest- serving president and a man who helped shape the state's agriculture industry during the last half of the 20th century has died, officials with American Farmers & Ranchers and the union announced recently.
Stone, who served the organization in various roles for more than 64 years, died May 26 in Purcell. He was 101 years old. The organization did not disclose a cause of death.
Officials said Stone leaves behind a legacy of family farm leadership that will be difficult to match.
Stone led the Oklahoma Farmers Union as its president from 1956 to 1980, then served as president of the National Farmers Union from 1980 to 1984.
After retiring, he served a dozen years on the state union's board of directors.
Stone, who previously was a Baptist minister, commanded respect with his tall frame, strong oratory abilities and unwavering convictions, officials said.
He guided the union through unprecedented expansion during his presidency, doubling its membership count and overseeing the construction of two new, larger headquarters buildings.
He successfully lobbied both state and national lawmakers on farming issues, worked with more than half of Oklahoma's governors and traveled the world on behalf of agriculture, meeting with national and international leaders including every president from Harry S. Truman to George W. Bush.
Heal sore launched the union' s insurance company, growing American Farmers & Ranchers into a viable entity with more lines of coverage.
Stone grew up on his family's farm near Byars, giving him both a strong work ethic and a passion for family
farming.
After Stone retired in 1984, he and his wife bought a working farm near Stratford, where he raised cattle, sheep, Bermuda sprigs, hay and peaches.
Stone received many accolades over the years, including Oklahoma State University's “Diploma of Distinction” in 1980 and Oklahoma Baptist University's “Outstanding Alumni Achievement in Agriculture, Business and Public Service” in 1981.
He received American Farmers& Ranchers/ Oklahoma Farmers Union's highest and ra rest honor, the OFU Meritorious Service Award, and was inducted into the Oklahoma Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2000.
AFR/OFU Cooperative is a membership services organization established in 1905 as Oklahoma Farmers Union that provides educational, legislative and cooperative programs across the state and serves as a watchdog for Oklahoma's family farmers and ranchers and rural communities.
The organization actively supports the state's agricultural industry and rural population, officials said.
Stone received many accolades over the years, including Oklahoma State University's “Diploma of Distinction” in 1980 and Oklahoma Baptist University's “Outstanding Alumni Achievement in Agriculture, Business and Public Service” in 1981.