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Fallen Fan's Widow: We Still Love Rangers

Jenny Stone praises team, player Josh Hamilton

By the Associated Press

Posted Jul 12, 2011 1:37 PM CDT

(AP) – The widow of the firefighter who fell to his death at a Texas Rangers game says the team, baseball, and player Josh Hamilton remain precious to her and her 6-year-old son. Jenny Stone also thanked everyone who has reached out to help her family since her husband, 39-year-old Shannon Stone, died Thursday night. Among those mentioned in today's statement were team president Nolan Ryan and a man who helped care for Cooper the night his father died.

Stone lost his balance reaching for a ball thrown by Hamilton—Cooper's favorite player—and fell headfirst 20 feet onto concrete. He died an hour later. Stone was remembered during ceremonies in Brownwood on Sunday and Monday. The letter was the first public comments from his widow. Click to read about another fan's close call.

Friends and family smile as they walk behind the fire truck carrying the casket of Lt. Shannon Stone as it departs First United Methodist Church on Monday, July 11, 2011, in Brownwood, Texas. (Tony Gutierrez)

The casket of Lt. Shannon Stone is loaded onto a Brownwood Fire Department truck following a service at First United Methodist Church on Monday, July 11, 2011, in Brownwood, Texas. (Tony Gutierrez)

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Fallen Fan's Widow: We Still Love Rangers

Jenny Stone praises team, player Josh Hamilton

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