Richard James Stockham Jr.

STOCKHAM, RICHARD JAMES, JR. Richard James Stockham, Jr., 1929-2011, died Feb. 6th after a short illness. Born in Birmingham to Richard J. Stockham and Charlotte Rushton Stockham, he attended Birmingham University School and then Phillips Exeter Academy in N.H., graduating in 1947. He later graduated from Princeton University in 1951 with a B.S. in Engineering. He was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the Infantry. He served gallantly in the bitter cold during the Korean Conflict as a Forward Observer and Liaison Officer. He was awarded the "Silver Star for Bravery in combat", second in honor only to the Congressional Medal of Honor. When his country called, he answered. He then joined the family company, Stockham Valves & Fittings where he served as Vice President and Corporate Secretary. Richard was preceded in death by his brother, William Henry Stockham, II, of Houston, TX. He is survived by his wife, Betty Aldridge Stockham, his sons Richard Stockham, III (Connie), Douglas Arant Stockham (Angela), daughter, Adele Stockham Culp, his grandchildren: Nate Stockham, Doug Stockham, Jr., Richard Culp, Angeline Gauntt, Lane Gauntt, William I Koch and Robin Koch: his sister. Charlotte Stockham Murdock. He is also survived by his first cousins, William J. Rushton, III, James Rushton, Allen Rushton, Douglass Corey, Charlotte McDavid, Katherine Avant, Henry Mellen, Margaret Monaghan, D. William Stockham, Betsy Simpson, Virginia Ladd and Herbert Stockham. He was a member of Mountain Brook Club and The Redstone Club. Mr. Stockham was proud of his heritage which included W.J. Rushton, who came to Birmingham in 1881, was President of the Birmingham Board of Education, and of Alice Bunker Stockham, a doctor and noted biographer and friend of Leo Tolstoy, and of William H. Stockham, founder of Stockham Pipe and Fittings in 1903. Funeral services will be held in the Chapel at Briarwood Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, Feb. 9th at 2:00pm, preceded by visitation at 1:00pm. The Rev. Frank Barker will officiate. There will be a private burial service later. Pallbearers are Doug Bever, Hugh Duke, Bill Meadows, Douglas Arant Stockham, Douglas Arant Stockham, Jr., Allen Corey and Richard. J. Stockham, III. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Briarwood Presbyterian Church or the Music Fund of Highlands Methodist Church.