Crazy in love for over 75 years. Bud met his love, Marjory, at a baseball game. Bud fell for Marge instantly, she was so beautiful and he loved her great spirit. They've been crazy after each other for more than 75 years. Through good times and bad, health and sickness, joy and sorrow, they've been inseparable and madly-in-love for more than 75 years. They were married September 5, 1932, at St. Michael's Church. Jack Tone became known as Uncle Bud upon the birth of his first grand-child, when he declared he was too young to be a grandfather. Uncle Bud is survived by his beloved wife, Marjory, their daughters, Jacqueline, Joanne, Kathleen, Susan & Patricia, 15 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild who are blessed with the joy of knowing that Bud passed peacefully at his beloved home on the ranch, with Sweet Margie nearby. We are eternally grateful to Kathleen for caring tirelessly for Bud through these past years of turmoil and suffering, through the end and beyond.

Valley Farmer & Rancher. Bud began ranching with his father as a young boy. He drove the teams of work-horses, milked the cows, cared for the animals and performed every kind of job around the ranch. He became an outstanding rancher - innovative and hard-working - and a leader in his community. Bud worked the ranch through the dry farming years with his father & brothers. Through the most difficult times of the Great Depression, they nearly lost everything. Bud was the only Tone of his generation with a passion for the ranch and farming. At that critical juncture, he developed a detailed 10 year plan to re-build the ranch. With Marge's help, incredible work and dedication, Bud succeeded in transforming Jack Tone Ranch from a struggling family farm into a modern 20th century ranch. He innovated designs and developed irrigation systems and methods, and began farming with tractors and automated machinery. Bud excelled at the cultivation of silage corn, market tomatoes, alfalfa and other hay crops, red kidney beans, market cucumbers, wheat, barley and other row crops, custom harvesting operations, peaches, cherries and other complimentary crops in a rotation system. Bud's sharp mind and gift for farming were employed at every moment, even when he was too hurt or sick to do all the work himself. At every outing, Bud "fertilized the fields with his shadow" and was always aware of the weather and growing conditions, asking after progress in all the fields.

Jack Tone was first elected in 1979 and served four terms as a Director of the Stockton-East Water District (SEWD) Board, including terms as President and Vice-President of the Board. Bud was an untiring advocate for farmers and instrumental in establishing local water policy. Jack Tone was a renowned water expert, consulted by many, and widely appreciated for his work at SEWD. Bud led the transformation of SEWD with wit and good humor; rational, omnipresent honesty and strong leadership. Bud was primarily responsible for initiating SEWD's policies of percolation and groundwater revitalization and he worked tirelessly on the New Hogan dam and other projects.

Inducted into the Northern California Handball Association (1984) & Stockton Athletic Hall of Fame (2003). Jack Tone was a great handball player - one of the best! One of Bud's proudest moments was his induction into the Northern California Handball Association (NCHA) Hall of Fame in 1984 for his skill and sportsmanship at his great game. Bud was inducted into the Stockton Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003 for his handball and other accomplishments in sports. Bud learned the "great game" from some Irish buddies he met as a teenager while the Tone family lived briefly in San Francisco, and refined his skills at the South End Rowing Club. Handball became a lifelong passion and brought great joy to his life. Bud was not just a great player, but a pioneering leader in the sport of Handball. In the 70s, he inaugurated the Jack Tone Super Golden Singles Handball Tournament. Bud's tournament and hospitality became famous as the longest-running seniors handball tournament in history.

World Famous "Fabulous Fadjur" Legendary Arabian Horse. In 1952, Marge & Bud finally went on their first vacation to Southern California. They visited Knott's Berry Farm and the McCoy's Arabian Ranch, where they first saw Fadjur. Bud bought Fadjur for Marge for her next birthday, and the three of them will go down in history as a team. Bud's undying devotion, love and commitment to Marge allowed them to succeed in greatness as breeders of fine Arabian horses. Marge's great horses, Fadjur and Saki, were named Living Legends, World's Most Popular, and they were both inducted into the Arabian Horse Hall of Fame for their contributions to the breed - none of which would have been possible without Bud's great love and everlasting support. Bud designed and illustrated a perpetual Valentine's Day card for Marge (he gave it to her every year), showing himself playing second fiddle to Fadjur. They both knew it was a joke but Bud loved to tease Marge - he knew her love & devotion to him came above everything else in this world.

Enduring Loyalty. With all of Bud's lifetime of achievement, it's incredible what a true and everlasting friend he was, to so many. All over the world, Bud had friends from every walk of life. He loved to travel, and if he didn't have a friend in the crowd, he would make some new ones! One of the most important things he taught us was to never judge a friend; to accept and enjoy them as they are, because if we waited for the perfect friend we would never have one at all. As amazing a friend Bud was to so many, he was ever so loyal and loving of his own family, who always came first. Everything Bud had, he gave freely and graciously to his family and friends, whether deserved, earned - or most often - given freely to us, just because. He spoiled us all with pure love, and so much fun! We can't remember a time spent with Bud, when we had anything but FUN!

The Gift of Healing. Bud was blessed with "magic hands." He was able to heal, to relieve pain, and to take fevers away from the sick. Bud appreciated his gift tremendously, and offered it to all who needed help. He helped people & animals all around the world. Whenever Bud knew of any sick or injured person, he always went to visit them & help them with his magic hands. He helped many dying people to live longer, by taking away their pain and giving them strength; and he helped the sick or injured to heal faster. Many times in the middle of the night, Bud would come to help sick babies & children (including every person in our family, plus many friends' too) - and not just one cursory visit, Bud returned often and helped them until they were well.

Author. Bud wrote his "OverTones" column for many years, with his trusty Penny-Pen-Pen. Bud's great wit, storytelling talents, and funny turns of phrases brought enjoyment & wisdom to many. "More next week, God Willing," was his closing refrain. We miss him so much already - his humor, heart, friendship, intelligence, character and soul - but God's will is for him to now join His legions of angels. We'll see Bud again someday, God Willing.

Memorial Mass was held 11:00am Thursday, January 11, 2007 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Stockton, followed by a brief gathering at Jack Tone Ranch, 9749 North Jack Tone Road, Stockton.