Laci Stone, an 18-year-old former Nocona High School student-athlete from Nocona, Texas, died on March 15, 2022, in a devastating vehicle accident in Andrews County, West Texas. Her death was part of a tragic collision involving a van carrying the University of the Southwest men’s and women’s golf teams and a pickup truck. The loss of Laci and several other members of the university community left families, friends and the town of Nocona heartbroken.
Laci had grown up in Nocona and graduated from Nocona High School in 2021. During her school years, she distinguished herself as an honours student and a committed athlete, participating in golf, volleyball, softball and basketball. Her involvement in school activities made her a familiar and valued member of the community.
After graduation, she continued her education at the University of the Southwest in New Mexico, where she was a freshman and a member of the university’s golf programme. She was pursuing global business management while developing her passion for the sport. Her college journey represented an exciting new chapter that her family and friends had hoped to watch unfold.
Those who knew Laci remembered her as cheerful, intelligent and full of life. Her mother, Chelsi Stone, described her as a ray of sunshine and shared the pain of losing a daughter whose presence had brought so much happiness to the family. Former teachers and coaches also remembered her humour, enthusiasm and ability to brighten the atmosphere around her. Her former golf coach recalled how she could make people laugh and bring joy to those around her.
Laci Stone’s death remains a painful loss for her family, former teammates and the wider Nocona community. Her memory lives on through the friendships she built, the sports she loved and the happiness she shared with others. Though her life ended far too soon, the love and memories she left behind continue to be cherished by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
