Jeffrey Allen Stone

Well-known Colorado entertainer, Jeff Stone, passed away unexpectedly on April 21, 2022.   

Born March 3, 1953, in Colorado Springs, Jeff graduated from Harrison High School, Class of 1971. He excelled in theater arts, football, wrestling, and choir. After graduation, he received a 4-year scholarship in Music and Theater Arts at the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, earning a BA in Theater and Music.   

Jeff, alias Joey the Clown, was also the founder of musical groups Tim Finnegan, the Band Sailor, the Professor's Frontier Orchestra, and the Band Wassail. As Joey the Clown, Jeff performed solo and with the Big John Strong Circus, He walked both tight and slack ropes and loved performing for, and playing with, large groups of children. On one occasion, he walked across a 200-foot-long cable strung 200 feet above Monument Creek in Colorado Springs in full clown regalia. He performed many years at the Cheyenne Mountain Country Club, the Glen Eyrie Madrigal dinners, and venues throughout the US, Canada, and France. Jeff shared his love of music and entertained on the streets of Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs to the delight of his audience, family, and friends.   

In addition to performing, Jeff was a proud member of IATSE, Local 62, and worked as a stagehand at many Colorado Springs venues. He was also a CNA and cared for family and friends, including his niece, Lily J. Stone, until her death in 2017.   

Jeff enjoyed the outdoors and roamed the less-traveled areas, sometimes bringing his tuba to serenade nature. His eyes were quick to see what others often missed, and he would artfully photograph and share nature's most unique and striking images. He had an amazing mind and quick humor. A person's responding smile or laughter would light up his face. Jeff loved food like he loved performance art; he was a master chef at heart, creating elegant and unusual dishes; catering large events, roasting whole pigs, and even recreating the story of Stone Soup, making memories that will last a lifetime. Jeff was also known for random acts of kindness. His passing leaves a vast hole in the hearts and minds of us all.   

Jeff is survived by his parents, Harold B. and Dolores A. Stone; his wife, R. Yvette Duncan; daughter, Angeline (Annie) M. Stone; stepson, Kale A. Duncan; brothers Bradford D. Stone and John D. Stone; sister Rebecka S. Evans; three granddaughters, two great-grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.