Hundreds Gather For Funeral Of Texas Rangers Fan Who Fell

BROWNWOOD (CBSDFW.COM) - Last Thursday people in Brownwood watched a man fall out of the stands of Rangers Ballpark in Arlington with horror, just like the rest of America.  But unlike those across the country who saw the accident, the tragedy had a greater effect on them.

"The first day you saw it on the news you think, a tragedy.  A simple accident," said Sgt. Ron Russek II, a deputy with the Johnson County Sheriff's Department.  "And then it was the next day I heard the name and I went, oh! I know him!"

Four days later, Russek and hundreds of others packed into the First United Methodist Church in Brownwood for 39-year old Shannon Stone's funeral. Firefighters from all over the state were at the services for the 18-year Brownwood Fire Department veteran.  The uniformed emergency crew lined the sidewalk leading from the church and saluted as pallbearers carried a simple pine casket past.

As Shannon Stone's body was placed on the back of a waiting fire truck, his wife Jenny and 6-year old son Cooper looked on.

"This family resembles so much of who we are," said Brownwood resident Luke Kilmartin, who attended the service. "A phenomenal family man, mentor, friend. A part of this community that it was never about himself. It was about the people he cared for."

It is believed a thousand people were inside for the service.

"There is cars lined up miles away from here.  It's amazing," said Deborah Kirkland who brought her grandkids to see their dad, who is a Brownwood firefighter,  in the procession to honor his fallen friend.

The long procession snaked its way through town with dozens of emergency vehicles from all over Texas taking part.  Passing drivers stopped in respect.  Friends of the family say right now what Jenny and Copper Stone need is time for the whirlwind of attention surrounding the tragedy to subside -- and time for them to realize they're part of a bigger family.

"It's kind of overwhelming," said Cookie Gamblin who knows the Stone family. "I think in the days to come things will settle.  Jenny is a strong woman. She'll see that things get done. Plus she has a huge, huge backing in the fire department community."

The Texas Rangers have set up a memorial fund to assist the family of Shannon Stone.