Obituary

Harry W. Stone

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of former Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, Harry W. Stone, a steadfast leader, a devoted public servant, and a beloved husband, father and grandfather. He was 84 years old. Harry’s life began in September of 1940 in Burbank, California where he attended John Burroughs High School. Among Harry’s favorite childhood memories were family outings to the original Bob’s Big Boy.

Harry went on to earn two civil engineering degrees from the University of Southern California, a bachelor’s in 1962 and a master’s in 1965. Some of his fondest memories at USC were with his fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon. For the remainder of his life, he would be a Trojan through and through. In 1963, Harry married a fellow Trojan, Barbara Shell, and together they shared more than 60 years of marriage. They raised two sons, Robert and Steven, and took great pride in watching their five grandchildren grow up, two of whom attended USC as well. To his sons, he will be remembered for his unwavering support throughout their youth and collegiate athletics and into their professional careers. His entire family will remember him for his clever yet unconventional “engineer humor.”

In addition to the Trojans, Harry was a true-blue fan of the Dodgers. As a season ticket holder for over 60 years, he was a fixture at Dodger Stadium from the early 1960s through the 2024 season. How fitting that the final baseball season of his life, the Dodgers won the World Series. Harry’s ties to Los Angeles run deep and reach far beyond its sports teams. As a long-time member of the California Club, Harry celebrated many cherished family occasions at the iconic downtown LA landmark.

At one point, Harry had saved up some money and wanted to buy a Porsche, but his wife’s family persuaded him to invest in a horse instead. That decision sparked nearly 50 years of involvement in the Southern California horse racing industry, where he and his wife Barbara became owners and breeders of thoroughbred racehorses—with a crowning achievement of owning several stakes winners including a Grade I Stakes winner. He never did get a Porsche.

Harry’s professional career began in 1958 when he had just completed his first year of college. That summer, Harry first stepped into the County Flood Control District office, eager to make a difference. He would later rise to the esteemed role of Director of LA County Department of Public Works, a position he held with great pride and commitment. His awards during his long tenure with the Department of Public Works included: The American Public Works Association Top Ten Public Works Leaders (2000) and the Southern California Contractors Association VIP Engineering and Administrative Excellence Award (1996). During his 41-year career, he made innumerable improvements in the Los Angeles County public works framework; two achievements of which he was particularly proud were the development of the Pan Pacific Park and his leadership during the Malibu cityhood controversy.

Harry’s integrity and humble yet commanding leadership style were a major part of his success in his role as Director, leading others to remark that Harry was a friendly, warm, and unassuming person whose character is absolutely unquestioned. He was a class act. In supervising 3,600 employees and a $1.2 billion budget, he played a crucial role in shaping the infrastructure of Los Angeles County, overseeing the building of roads, bridges, airports, courthouses, flood control, and water conservation facilities. His leadership extended beyond titles; he was not just a director, but a mentor, a problem solver, and a guiding force for his colleagues. His ability to lead with both wisdom and compassion made him a revered figure in public works, someone who could be relied upon to find solutions for the most pressing challenges of the region.

Beyond his professional accolades, Harry was most proud of his family. Whether through quiet conversations over Sunday dinners, sharing stories at the holidays, or simply being present in times of need, Harry’s warmth and guidance shaped the lives of those closest to him.

Harry was also deeply involved in his local community, offering his time and resources to numerous initiatives aimed at improving the lives of others. Among other things, he served as a commissioner on the City of Whittier Planning Commission from 2001-2012. Serving on the Commission for more than ten years, Harry played a key role in the renovation of the Whittwood Mall into the Whittwood Town Center, the revised zoning of Whittier Boulevard to encourage business growth, and the adoption of a plan to revitalize Uptown Whittier. In his final term on the Commission, Harry offered valuable advice to the Whittier City Council on the hotly contested Whittier hills oil-drilling proposal.

After his 2001 retirement from the Department of Public Works, Harry became an avid golfer and enjoyed many rounds at Hacienda Golf Club. He also discovered a love of travel, visiting nearly 80 countries and embarking on close to 30 cruises. Most of all, Harry cherished his favorite role as “Granddad,” spending countless hours cheering for his grandchildren at their myriad of sports events including baseball, water polo, swimming, basketball, lacrosse, tennis and Irish dance. For more than five decades and throughout his retirement, Harry also enjoyed spending time with family and friends at the beach at his second home in San Clemente.

Harry leaves behind his wife, Barbara, sons Steven (Catherine) and Robert (Charlotte) and grandchildren Matt, Ellie, Mark, Thomas, and Justin. We wish you peace and happiness, Harry. Your journey was one of purpose, and your legacy will endure.