Thomas Derby Stockton

Thomas Stockton 1932 - 2012 Tom Stockton, native of Bakersfield and sixth generation Californian, passed away peacefully on the Fourth of July surrounded by the love of his family and friends. He was born on May 4th, 1932, the second son of Frank R. Stockton and Evelyn Derby Stockton. He spent his childhood in Arvin on the family farm and moved to Bakersfield when he was 12, graduating from Kern County Union High School in 1950. He attended Bakersfield Junior College, Stanford, Southwestern University and Hastings passing his first Law exam in 1954. He married Marcia Mickelberry that year and together they had four children. They were married for seventeen years. Tom began working for Title Insurance and Trust in 1956, first as a title researcher, then in 1963, he moved to Independence, California as Manager for Inyo and Mono Counties. In 1966 his work took him to San Luis Obispo and then to Napa in 1968 where he lived until 1992. Tom left the title business in 1973 to become a real estate broker, first at Select Properties and later as the owner of Century 21 Woods Realty in Sonoma. In 1979 he met and married his wife Barbara who held his hand for 33 years, right up to his final breath. Tom and Barbara loved sailing and fine dining and attending the theater and were voracious readers. During his stay in Northern California, Tom was active in the Kiwanis Club, the Napa Ambassadors and both the Napa and Sonoma Chambers of Commerce. In 1992, he and Barbara "retired' to the family ranch near Woody, California and helped his brothers Peter and Terry (deceased 2002) and his sister Monica with the cattle operations at Yuba Farms, which has been in Stockton hands for over one hundred years. Tom served on the Grand Jury from 1998-2001. His proudest professional achievement was being named Kern County Cattleman of the Year in 2011. His proudest private achievement was his family. He is survived by his wife Barbara, sons Mark (Janet) Stockton of Bakersfield, Bill (Ali) Stockton of Sebastopol and Zachary (Delilah) Stockton of Napa and Daughter Kate Glossbrenner of Bakersfield. Stepchildren Charles Konig of Bakersfield, Michael Konig of Calistoga and Karin (Kim) Chandler of Heber City, Utah. Tom leaves behind 16 Grandchildren and 4 Great-Grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Kern County Cattlemen's Scholarship Fund 9501 Lokern Rd. McKittrick, CA 93251. There will be a visitation on Tuesday, July 10 from 3 to 7 PM, at Mish Funeral Home 120 Minner Ave in Bakersfield. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, July 11 at 10AM at the Engle-Stockton Cemetery in Bakersfield. www.bakersfield.com/obits