HOUSTON -- Veteran Houston news anchor Ron Stone passed away Tuesday after a long battle with cancer.

As welcome as a warm dinner on the table, Ron Stone came into our homes for three decades.

To loyal viewers, he was an old friend, a favorite uncle, a neighbor.

Stone anchored at KPRC-TV from 1972 until his retirement in 1992. Before that, he spent 10 years at KHOU-TV.

It was a young news director named Dan Rather who gave Stone his first break in Houston television.

"The reporters would come in about 3:00 in the afternoon. And they would walk up to Rather as he sat chewing his cigar in front of his typewriter," Stone said in a previous interview.

Stone was best known for his folksy style, dry wit and masterful storytelling. He was a brilliant writer who could weave a few dull sentences into a work of art.

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Ron Stone ran a production company after retiring from KPRC-TV.

"I think he interacted with the viewers on a personal level probably better than any anchor I have ever seen on television before," said former 11 News anchor Steve Smith.

“As a writer, as an intellect, I’ve never worked with anybody finer,” former co-anchor Jan Carson said. “He really understood news. He was the consummate newsman.”

During his career, Stone reported from Israel, Lebanon and Guatemala. The highlight, he said, was reporting on the fall of the Berlin wall.

But it was the people in his adopted state of Texas who were the most important to him, according to his son.

“Dad really wanted people to respect the humanity of those folks being interviewed,” Ron Stone Jr. said. “That was very important to him—very important.”

The Oklahoma-born Stone hosted a long-running television show called "The Eyes of Texas," where he told unique stories about the state. He went on to write three books about Texas, “A Book of Texas Days,” “Disaster at Texas City,” and “Houston: Simply Spectacular.”

Stone was also known for his charitable work, raising what KPRC said was millions of dollars to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association and working on the annual telethon to support the association.

And he was funny.

He and Doug Johnson, a favorite partner-in-crime, often got tickled on the set of "Scene at 5," sending the whole crew into fits of laughter.

"Wherever he went, he had a friend. Whoever he met became his friend," 11 Sports reporter Matt Musil said. "Just a great guy."

"Fine person, big heart, always active in the community," said Houston Mayor Bill White. "And we'll miss Ron Stone in Houston, Texas."

Upon his retirement in 1992, Stone shared with viewers his love of the news and the city.

“Thank you for putting up with me,” he said in his final broadcast. “Thank you for letting me into your homes. I always figured that doing local television was a trust, so I never tried to lie to you, never tried to lead you down false paths. I spent 30 years working at two really fine television stations in one really fine town. I’ve been a lucky man.”

"I can't believe he's gone. Can't believe he's gone," said former co-anchor Linda Lorelle. "He's one of those iconic figures who you just think will always be with you."

After his retirement, Stone ran a production company called Stonefilms. Younger Houstonians and recent transplants know him better for his television commercials.

“Houston, Harris County and all of Texas have lost a true treasure," Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia said. "Not only was Ron Stone a pioneer in Houston journalism, he was a fixture in the Houston community for his time and energy given to so many organizations. Ron Stone’s name is synonymous with integrity.  His efforts to preserve and promote our history and our community will be missed.”

Stone's signature signoff was "Good night, neighbors."

Today, it's Houston's turn to bid good night to a beloved neighbor.

Associated Press contributed to this story