Jeff Stone at his usual spot. Photo by Bob Edwards
After gracing our shores for 75 years, OBcean Jeff Stone has left us. Jeff passed at 5 minutes after 12 noon on Tuesday, March 8 – International Women’s Day.
His is survived by his spouse Carole of fifty some years, his sons C.J. and Cody, and many friends.
Born on May 25, 1946, in New Jersey, Jeff did a stint in the US Army, and afterwards lived in Philadelphia, Canada and the Bay Area. Jeff and Carole were introduced to each other by a good friend in 1972 in Berkeley and they then lived together from then on. Their journey together took them to Philly where Jeff worked as a leather craftsman.
The couple ended back on the West Coast, lived in Venice, California for a while and eventually found their way to San Diego. Here, in town, they both went to teacher’s school at State and became life-long teachers for the San Diego Unified School District.
Through their new friends, Jeff and Carole discovered Ocean Beach and they moved to OB in the late 1970s. Jeff fell in love with OB – as did Carole – as the funky, hippie town suited their styles. They bought a house on Long Branch in the early nineties where they raised their sons.
Always the artist and intellectual, Jeff took on several personas during his OB life’s path: a marxist grad student, an oil painter, the drummer for the local punk band, “Bowling for Larva,” a photographer, a surfer – but always the teacher. Jeff loved kids and he loved to teach them. He constantly ran into former students as he moved about town and they always expressed their appreciation for him.
Jeff Stone will be sorely missed by all his many, good friends and family. His absence has made the human family smaller.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Great picture of Jeff. Thanks Bob for the photo and Frank for the tribute. He will be missed.
A fond place in my heart will hold the memories of Jeff’s caring and generosity. He embodied the vibe of OB. Farewell, friend.
RIP My friend and neighbor of 32+ years. We lived a lot of life together playing music, playing basketball, having kids, enjoying the waves and our town of Ocean Beach. Losing a good man is never easy, but he left so many of us with great memories that will last forever.
Condolences to Carole. Let’s remember him well
Jeff always had a big smile for me as I passed him, Carole, and a bunch of school teachers on the beach (towers 2, then 3) over the years.
RIP Jeff, with condolences and love for Carole, your family, and the wonderful school teachers, from the beach. Larry
My condolences to all the Stone Family Jeff will certainly be missed
Love this wonderful memorial of our dear friend. Miss him. Jeff’s birthday is May 25th, though.
Debbi, thanks – made the correction.
I knew Jeffrey for 45 years . . . he was a most loyal friend. He was there when my daughter Risë was born and he and Carol were always a home away from home for our little family on so many visits from Oakland after we had moved from OB. They were to be Risë’s home if anything happened to her parents. His range of interests was remarkable . . . and his ability to focus on whatever was most in front of him . . . be it punk rocker, mentor teacher, or surfer-dad for his boys or . . . was inspiring and absorbing. I hadn’t seen Jeffrey for several years, the pandemic capping off a couple of years without visiting OB. I never thought I would never see him again. I will hold you in my heart and memories, Jeffrey. Be in peace.
Most heartfelt Condolences to Carole and family and all their OB family, near and far. I met Jeff while living in OB in the 80s while working at Peoples Coop. I was recruited to play bass in the band Jeff had been playing drums in, Bowling For Lava. Only one problem-I didn’t have a bass. But Jeff did and let me use it. Kelly and Don rounded out our 4-some on blistering guitars. Jeff did artwork for our musical efforts and wrote some of the songs, including his
ode to Reagan’s demise, “What Can I do to Obliterate You!” Along the way we changed our name a few times, first to KMA (use your imagination), then Death Bunny (Jeff did the art on that one), and finally Zero Option, a reference to the nuclear missiles Prez Ronnie was trying to put into Eastern Europe-still relevant these days.
Jeff and I also bonded in our support for the the Irish liberation movement. He was one of my OB friends from Jersey who shared that sentiment. One of the songs we performed was Jeff’s “IRA.”
We played a good many gigs around town and then recorded a bunch. I still have a cassette tape of that work, and have been listening to it a lot at full volume. Jeff’s drum work still kick’s ass, and so will always all our memories of him. Love, Michael
I first met Carole and Jeffrey in the early 70s in Venice. We lived about a half block apart on Horizon Ave., one of the funkiest streets in this Beat/Hip/Bohemian town. The four of us, including my partner, Linda Amezquita, bonded immediately. We always did things together – go to the beach (a block away) for the sunset, haunt a cool breakfast joint, go to big anti-war marches in L.A., and lots of evenings of “smoke and wine,” as the Jackson Browne song puts it.
We formed the Venice Chapter of Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW), in which we insisted women had equal rights. We recruited Ron Kovic to our Chapter, worked with Tom Hayden, and became nationally known in VVAW thanks in large part to Jeffrey’s great work.
Carole was always part of that, I think they communicated telepathically. Unlike most of the couples du jour, it was obvious even then that Carole and Jeffrey were in for the long haul, and so they were.
All good things have to come to an end. Carole and Jeffrey moved to University Heights in San Diego, where I visited often. Then it was on to Home, Sweet Home, in OB. I was sorry to see them leave Venice, but in retrospect, they had an excellent life in a loving community. And for Carole, the adventure continues. Thanks to both of you for letting me share some of your inspiration.
Jim Smith
Venice