John Willard Stocker

He was born George Abescher September 10, 1928 in Beaverton Oregon. He received his new name when he was adopted by Rev. Jacob and Anna Stocker. They lived in Dallas, OR; Salem, OR; Tacoma, WA; and then to Olympia. He graduated from Olympia High School in 1947. He was discharged in 1953 after two years in the Army, serving as a medic in the Panama Canal Zone. He began working for the Washington state Department of Revenue in 1953 and retired in 1982.

He was known as the guy who would fix your broken toaster. He also enjoyed working on cars, rebuilding motors big and small. After retirement he mowed lawns for elderly acquaintances. He helped his piano technician son, David, move more than 900 pianos. In 1990 he renewed his personal relationship with God, becoming a member of Faith Assembly of Lacey. There he served as a money counter, usher, and volunteered in many other capacities. He was always the first to sign up for a church work day, always ready to serve, always sharing an encouraging word

. A highlight of his retirement was going to California to serve at Gleanings for the Hungry, a ministry of Youth With A Mission. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Diane (Lakeburg); son and daughter-in-law, David and Joanne Stocker; four grand-children; daughter, Debra Stocker. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be given to Faith Harvest Helpers (faithharvesthelpers.org), one of John's favorite charities, where he helped process salmon to feed the hungry around the world.

Arrangements under the direction of Mills & Mills Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Tumwater, WA.