Tommy Lee Stone

Tommy Lee Stone, 84, died peacefully in Columbia on June 27, 2026. His unstoppable work ethic, keen sense of humor, and no-nonsense approach to turning problems into opportunities will forever be remembered and appreciated by his family and friends.

Tommy was born August 16, 1941, in Columbia, Missouri, the first of three sons to the late Earl and Doris (Reed) Stone. He graduated from David H. Hickman High School, where he met the love of his life, Donna Kewley. The two married on August 4, 1960, welcomed a son David and daughter Terri, shared a lifetime of adventures and, in 2022, celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary before Donna passed away.

Early on, Tommy was drawn to the golf course world, sharing his Dad's love of the game. While he was a good player, his mastery would come as a golf course turf management expert. He got his start in the golf course business at the University of Missouri golf course in 1959. In 1968, he landed his first golf course superintendent position at the Columbia Country Club. And that was just the start as he took on superintendent roles at the Country Club of Missouri (1972-1994), the prestigious Old Warson Country Club in St. Louis (1994-1999), and A.L. Gustin Golf Course, where he was director of golf course operations and taught several turf classes at the University of Missouri (1999-2006).

In 1991, Tommy along with friends and colleagues Rich Poe and Ed Scott bought 45 acres of farmland and hoped to design and build a golf course together one day. It took years, but in the spring of 1999, Perche Creek Golf Course officially opened in Columbia featuring a driving range and an 18-hole par-3 course.

Tommy also designed the par 72, 18-hole Hail Ridge Golf Course in Boonville, Mo., that opened in 2005. And, as if he wasn't busy enough, he started Country Club Turf Lawncare in 2006 with Stewart Bigelow, his former assistant at Country Club of Missouri, and his father Stew Bigelow.

Tommy was one of the original members of the Missouri Valley Turfgrass Association and served on its board of directors. He was also an active member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) for 57 years.

He earned numerous awards throughout his career, including 2013 Hall of Fame Honors from the Columbia Golf Foundation. In 1972, he was also recognized for helping to establish the first zoysia golf course in Missouri.

Through it all, he and Donna never lost sight of the importance of family, friends, love and laughter.

He is survived by his beloved daughter, Terri Lea Stone; and brother-in-law, Larry (Kay) Kewley. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, who he loved to tease. They loved it too because they knew behind Uncle Tom's gruff act was a very big heart.

Tommy was preceded in death by his wife, Donna Rae Stone; his son, David Randall Stone; parents Earl and Doris Stone; brothers Larry Stone and Richard (Dicky) Stone; brother-in-law, Ronald Wayne Kewley; sister-in-law, Rita Mae Kewley; and loving in-law parents, Ray and Edna Kewley who he adored.

A gathering of family and friends to celebrate Tommy's life will be held from 1:00-3:00 p.m., Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel, 1610 N. Garth Ave., Columbia, Mo., 65202.

Online condolences and tributes may be shared with the family at www.bachyager.com.

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