Franz Theodore Stone III

Franz Stone passed away peacefully surrounded by family at The Oaks of Savannah, Ga. on September 15, 2014.  Born on October 4, 1930, Franz was raised in Columbus, Ohio. He graduated from Millbrook Academy in 1950 and attended Colorado College.  He joined the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1950 as a Link Trainer Instructor and was stationed at Port Columbus.

Franz founded Rimrock Corporation, which became to leader in innovation in the die-cast industry and its products are still sold globally.  He sold his business in the late 1980s and moved to Savannah, Ga.

His passions were many, especially his love of the outdoors.  He and his wife, Harriett, created a paradise on an island in Canada that was his family’s joy for over forty years. Whether canoeing, fishing, waterskiing or tying to keep up with him on a portage to a remote lake, he treated friends and family to a one-of-a-kind experience.

He inherited a love of flying from his father, George A. Stone, who was the Commander of the Civil Air Patrol during the 1940s, and taught Franz to fly at the age of six.  He was an instrument rated pilot, compiling more than 2000 hours in several types of aircraft.  After his move to Savannah, he loved serving as a docent at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum.

Franz was preceded in death by his beloved father George A. Stone, mother Elizabeth E. Stone, and brother George A. Stone, Jr.  He is survived by his sister Nancy Heymann, wife Harriett F. Stone, children Bruce T. Stone (Peggy), Julie Stone (Aaron), Susan Moore (Harry), Kate Bolger (Brad) and grandchildren, Ben, Maggie, James, Peter, Max, Alexia, Andress and Sam.

The family wishes to thank the staff at The Oaks for their remarkable compassion and care of Franz during his almost two years there. A funeral will be held in Savannah at the Independent Presbyterian Church at 2:00pm on October 18 and a reception will be held for friends in Columbus, Ohio at Jeffrey Mansion, 165 North Parkview, Bexley. Ohio on Saturday October 4 6:30-8:30 pm.

Remembrances may be made to Christ Church Anglican, Building Fund, P.O. Box 14039, Savannah, GA 31416.

Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel