On May 13, a Houston icon passed from this life to the next. Since Tuesday there have been a multitude of stories on TV and the web about Ron Stone, who served as a news reporter and anchor in Houston on channel 11 (CBS) from 1961-1972 and channel 2 (NBC) from 1972-1992. (See channel 2 stories here.) Co-workers and even so-called competitors called him friend and used superlative language to describe him as a person and news anchor. They tell about his skills in the news business, his penchant for history, and talent with telling stories, on screen and in print. Without fail each story talks about what a nice man he was, but the details go way beyond just being friendly.
He worked hard and he volunteered hard, giving time to causes he considered worthy, such as Muscular Dystrophy. One woman tells how she was a child with Muscular Dystrophy and met him at the telethon. He eased her fear and called her friend. Some years later, he sent a helicopter to her house because she was unable to come to the telethon that year. On air he was heard to pass along get-well messages and off the air he went to great lengths to show his concern for others. One story I found interesting was a note in a visitation book from a young man thanking Ron for being his Sunday school teacher in the 60’s, which shows he served outside of the secular path of life. One woman recounted how he offered much needed change to her while she was juggling groceries and toddlers in the checkout line. He took time to be with the common person, because he considered himself to be a common man… a neighbor.
Who is my neighbor? In Luke 10:25-37 Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan to answer that question and teaches what it means to be a good neighbor. It may take a little extra labor to be the good neighbor, but that is exactly what Christ calls us to do. The parable is an example to follow: Love your neighbor as yourself.
This week many people are offering prayers of thanks for the life of Ron Stone and the example he left for us to follow. Many have commented on his good humor, sincerity, kindness, thoughtfulness, and genuineness stating that if more people acted like Ron Stone, then the world would be a better place.
Mr. Stone’s signoff each night was “Good night neighbors”, and I offer that up for your own daily response of choosing to be a good neighbor.
He worked hard and he volunteered hard, giving time to causes he considered worthy, such as Muscular Dystrophy. One woman tells how she was a child with Muscular Dystrophy and met him at the telethon. He eased her fear and called her friend. Some years later, he sent a helicopter to her house because she was unable to come to the telethon that year. On air he was heard to pass along get-well messages and off the air he went to great lengths to show his concern for others. One story I found interesting was a note in a visitation book from a young man thanking Ron for being his Sunday school teacher in the 60’s, which shows he served outside of the secular path of life. One woman recounted how he offered much needed change to her while she was juggling groceries and toddlers in the checkout line. He took time to be with the common person, because he considered himself to be a common man… a neighbor.
Who is my neighbor? In Luke 10:25-37 Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan to answer that question and teaches what it means to be a good neighbor. It may take a little extra labor to be the good neighbor, but that is exactly what Christ calls us to do. The parable is an example to follow: Love your neighbor as yourself.
This week many people are offering prayers of thanks for the life of Ron Stone and the example he left for us to follow. Many have commented on his good humor, sincerity, kindness, thoughtfulness, and genuineness stating that if more people acted like Ron Stone, then the world would be a better place.
Mr. Stone’s signoff each night was “Good night neighbors”, and I offer that up for your own daily response of choosing to be a good neighbor.
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