Hundreds gather for funeral of Texas fan who fell

Published 2:01 pm Monday, July 11, 2011

BROWNWOOD, Texas (AP) — A funeral procession is under way in Brownwood, Texas, for 39-year-old Shannon Stone, who was fatally injured trying to catch a souvenir baseball at a Texas Rangers game.

Stone’s widow, Jenny, and their 6-year-old son, Cooper, walked hand-in-hand behind a fire truck carrying his casket. More than 50 emergency vehicles were part of Monday’s procession.

Nearly 1,000 friends, family and well-wishers also attended a private memorial, where witnesses say Stone was remembered fondly for his kindness, love of baseball and skill as both a firefighter and a loving dad.

Stone and his son had gone to a Rangers game Thursday night and were sitting in left field when outfielder Josh Hamilton tossed a foul ball into the stands. Stone fell about 20 feet onto concrete as he caught the ball and he died a short time later.