David Locke Stone July 22, 1941 ~ January 28, 2025 (age 83)

Funeral services for David L. Stone, 83, currently of Edmond, OK, will be held at 10:00 AM, Sat., Feb. 8, 2025 at the First United Methodist Church in Portales with Richard Bradfute officiating.  Burial will follow in the Portales Cemetery with Pete Paiz, Leonard Montoya, Danny Heflin, Derrick Stone, Joe Willingham and John Snowberger serving as pallbearers.  Larry Smith, Kenneth Smith, John Gentry, Dick Hood, Joe Chandler, John Hilliard, James Hatch, Stuart Ingle and Doug Stone will serve as honorary pallbearers.  Ron Jackson and Leo Montoya have been named in memoriam.  A reception will be held at the J. P. Stone Bank Main Branch, 109 E. 2nd St., on Saturday afternoon from 2 to 4 PM.  The family respectfully requests that in lieu of floral tributes that donations be made to either the New Mexico Christian Children’s Home which was very dear to David’s heart at 1356 NM 236, Portales, NM 88130 or to the Douglas B. Stone VFW Post 4515, 316 S Main, Portales, NM 88130.

David Locke Stone was born July 22, 1941 in Clovis, NM to the home of Douglas and Dona Stone. He died on January 28, 2025 in Edmond, Oklahoma at the age of 83, with his devoted wife, Gracy at his side.  She had been his constant companion and support for over 30 years.  Psalm 139:16 tells us, “Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”

After graduating from Portales High School in 1959, David attended the University of Texas and graduated with a degree in Finance. He began his banking career in Dallas, and was pivotal in the creation of several companies like Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Tuesday Morning, and Country Burger. He was also the personal banker for several players on the iconic Dallas Cowboy teams of the ‘70s. In 1981, he returned home to run the family bank, Portales National, and succeeded his father as President. David was a gifted and savvy businessman. Under his leadership, the Bank grew from a two-branch, $30 million institution to one with nine branches and over $330 million in assets.

David was a gifted leader, and his 6’ 7” frame matched his dominant and exuberant personality. David loved people, and he spent his entire life improving the lives of those around him. Ever the champion of “the little guy,” David helped thousands of people achieve the American Dream.  He embodied the words he had printed on his business cards, “A Good Man To Have On Your Side.”

David was instrumental in founding the Independent Community Bankers of New Mexico, serving as its first chairman, and on the national level, David served as ICBA Secretary and Treasurer. He was a member of the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank Board of Directors, El Paso Branch.  David spent his life passionately fighting for the betterment of community banks nationwide.

David was an actor, author, poet and song writer.  He starred in several westerns including “Wyatt Earp,” released an album “Scarlett on My Mind” along with other singles like “Kakawate Road” and the notorious “The JP Stone Fight Song,” published two books including “Our Bank, My Family, My Friends, and Me”, along with numerous articles and publications.

David loved his country and was extremely patriotic.  Each year on 9-11, he held a public memorial service to ensure that we would never forget.  Any time he saw a member of the armed forces, he would go out of his way to shake their hand, thank them for their service and if possible, buy their meal.  Each morning, David began his work day by leading his entire staff in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, stressing that there is to be no pause between one nation and under God.  David was actively involved in local, state and national politics.  He was not a partisan, but supported any candidate that he felt would better the lives of those in his community.

David was passionate about history, showing a particular affinity for the American Civil War. He and his wife Gracy traveled the country, and both participated in Civil War reenactments. It was not unusual for a customer to come into the Bank and see David in one of his many Civil War costumes, complete with high leather boots, a feather-plumbed hat, and a cavalry sword. David had a replica of his beloved grandmother’s side saddle created for Gracy to ride in parades.  Gracy would fight alongside of David dressed in a man’s uniform and armed for battle.  They both had elaborate period costumes befitting a Confederate soldier and women for that time-period.

More than anything else, David loved his wife, his children, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed coaching various athletic teams, and impacted not only his kids and grandchildren’s lives, but every child on his various teams.  When he was not coaching, he would buy everything from scoreboards to billboards to fair animals to belt-buckles.  David loved, believed in and supported the youth of Roosevelt County.

David was an associate member of the First Presbyterian Church and a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Portales.  David knew his Lord and Savior.  Recently before his passing, David shared with Gracy that he had lived a blessed life.  He knew that his beloved grandmother, his brother, Barry, his parents and his friend Leo were all waiting for him.  Drying Gracy’s tears, he said “When my time comes, be happy for me.  I’ll be there waiting for you.”

David is survived by his wife Gracy; his children, David Stone, Jr. (Alvaro), Deborah Ingraham (Rex), Robin Willingham (Jeff), Kaycee Hill (Richard); five grandchildren, J.D. Ingraham (Maria), Madison Willingham, Joseph Willingham, and Conner and Brandee Hill; and two great-grandchildren, Stone Conner Guy, and Rosie Ingraham; his nephew Doug Stone (Laurie) and his niece, Deanna Waddell (Brewster), and his sister-in-law, Connie Stone as well as all of Gracy’s family.

He is also survived by the legacy he leaves behind, the Bank he grew, the organizations he formed, and the lives he touched. His impact is evident in the words of Chris Moya (ICBA President and CRO) who honored David’s legacy in a letter to members: Remembering David L. Stone: A Pioneer of Community Banking in New Mexico. David Stone made a difference that will be felt for decades to come, the echo of a life well-lived.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of David Locke Stone, please visit our floral store.