David Leverett Stone, 86, of Oak Park, died peacefully in his home on June 15, 2026. Born in Chicago on Feb. 19, 1940, to Leverett and Virginia Stone, he spent nearly his entire life in and around the city he called home. He also treasured time spent in Indiana with cousins and extended family during his childhood and young adulthood.
Dave graduated from Lane Tech High School in 1958 and then the DeVry Institute of Technology in 1961 before serving in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1965, which included a posting in Hawaii that remained one of his favorite memories.
He met his wife, Susan (née Gordon), in 1967 while working at WGN-TV. Together, they raised two sons, David Jr. and Michael. His values of dependability, loyalty, and hard work continue to shape their lives.
A longtime member of IATSE Local 110 and worked as a motion picture projectionist for more than three decades, including 20 years at the Ogden 6 Theater in Naperville. Dedicated to his work, he almost never missed a day and took pride in the technical expertise and practical know-how he brought to the job. Upon retirement, he devoted many years to caring for Susan during her long illness. She preceded him in death in 2008.
Dave is survived by his sons, David Jr. (Wendy) and Michael (Christine), and by his grandchildren, Claire, Charlie, and Griffin. Known to them as the self-proclaimed “GPD” (Grandpa Dave), he loved hearing about their lives, greatly appreciated their help with navigating his iPhone, and took quiet pride in the admirable people they were becoming. He was also preceded in death by Dude, the dachshund who was his constant companion in later years.
He will be remembered for his everyday decency, his love of a good joke, and his delight in his pet dogs throughout his life. Whether talking with neighbors, fellow dog walkers, store employees, or the many people he met along the way, he rarely left a conversation without sharing a story or a laugh. He was a good man.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the International Myeloma Foundation in his memory.