OBITUARY

James Edwin Stocker

March 15, 1932 – May 26, 2011

James Edwin Stocker went home to be with the Lord on May 26, 2011 at the age of 79 as he was passing through Charlottesville, Virginia on a cross-country bicycling trip. He had lived in his home in Bellevue, Washington since 1963. Jim was born in Camden, New Jersey on March 15, 1932 to Arthur and Arielle Stocker. He met and began dating the love of his life, Judith Christine Piper, in high school and courted her during their college years. They were married on March 11, 1955 in Collingswood, New Jersey, and were blessed with 50 years of marriage until her passing in 2005. Together they traveled throughout Europe, visited the Holy Lands, and enjoyed the beaches of Maui for weeks at a time.

Jim graduated from Drexel University in 1955 with a degree in civil engineering and worked in the aerospace industry primarily as a computer engineer for nearly forty years until his retirement. At Boeing, Jim was responsible for evaluating new computers and software languages as they were developed in order to determine their capabilities relevant to Boeing’s needs. Another of his projects at Boeing was the integration and testing of many of the computers used in the development of the stealth bomber.

Jim loved the Lord and shared his faith with exuberance. He was an active member of Westminster Chapel in Bellevue where he sang in the choir and the Crosspoint vocal ensemble. He was also involved in the Alpha and Celebrate Recovery ministries and made it a point to eagerly welcome all newcomers. Jim’s smile, enthusiasm, encouragement, and servant’s spirit will be greatly missed.

Bicycling, skiing, and hiking were a source of great joy to Jim, and he used his skills, knowledge, and love of the outdoors to serve others for many years by volunteering with the Crystal Mountain Ski Patrol, King County Search and Rescue, and as a Boy Scout leader.

Jim is survived by his daughter, Kathy Samsel of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and his son, Ken Stocker of Bellevue, Washington; his grandchildren: Becky White, Joshua Gilmore, Hannah Gilmore, Sam Gilmore, Lydia Gilmore, Kassi Stocker, Josh Stocker, Jeremiah Stocker; and his great-grandchildren: Jenny, Carly, Skyler, Makyla, and Kylee.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, June 11th, 2011 at Westminster Chapel, 13646 NE 24th ST, Bellevue WA 98005. Donations in his memory may be sent to Westminster Chapel for the Celebrate Recovery ministry.

Arrangements under the direction of Sunset Hills Funeral Home, Bellevue, WA.

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    Saturday, June 11, 2011

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James Edwin Stocker

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Janet Holloway

May 22, 2012

I have been thinking of Jim this week as the anniversary of his death approaches. Just want the family to know you are still in my prayers. I was a cyclist on the TransAmerica route with Jim and will never forget that day. We were nearly to Charlottesville when the emergency vehicles soared past us en route to the accident. It was my 60th birthday, so I will always think of Jim on my birthday. I am so glad I had the opportunity to know him. He inspired our group from the very beginning. I will be thinking of him as I leave on June 21st to cycle the Northern Tier with Adventure Cycling Association. I will be near his home, I know, and plan to cycle with Becky before we leave. I look forward to visiting the Seattle area. I have never been there before.

Sincerely,
Janet Holloway Birmingham, Al.

Janet Bechtel & Judith Adcock (Rosenwald)

April 9, 2012

My sister and I met the Stocker family when we moved in across the street from them in 1964. We were constant companions with Kathy and Ken, including Camp Fire Girls, Skiing, Biking, Hiking and Boating - to name a few activities.
At some point our families became close enough to coin the names "Aunt Judy and Uncle Jim" for Judy and Jim. They were our chosen Aunt and Uncle. Uncle Jim was always kind and gracious to us. He never said an unkind word about anyone and his passion for Sounder's Soccer showed that he was way ahead of his time!
We are so thankful that he was our "other dad" through our growing up years.
Uncle Jim was a dedicated husband, father and follower of Christ. God's blessings to Kathy, Ken and family.

June 24, 2011

“I want to reassure you that all is well even if you don't hear from me for a while.”
~ First sentence of the last email Jim wrote to his son, Ken

Colossians 1:10-12

June 23, 2011

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

Jodi Hisey

June 23, 2011

Jim was an amazing, very lovable man. Any time that I was talking to Jim, I felt special because Jim made me feel that way. There is no one on earth like Jim and he will be missed by many.

Doug Bird

June 23, 2011

My bike ride last month with Jim was very tough on me but it was 10% my determination and 90% Jim’s encouragement. I sure loved him in fact, more than once thought of wanting to be like him with his kind of love and caring attitude and his passion for Jesus.

Pamela Beck

June 23, 2011

Jim was like a dad to me. The male influence I needed and didn’t know it. I am so glad you shared him with me. Because I knew Jim, and the Jesus that lived in him, I’m a little (ok a lot) more whole.

Cheri McDonald

June 23, 2011

Jim was such a special man of Christ and great encourager. I especially enjoyed my singing time with him as a part of Crosspoint and choir.

Curt Larson

June 23, 2011

I am going to always remember how gracious and comforting Jim was.

Grace

June 23, 2011

I didn’t know Jim much, except for the once in awhile bike rides. But I could see he was a very joyful man, exceptionally inspirational, and a loving father. Though his death was tragic, his life was touching and I wouldn’t have wanted him to leave any other way then doing something he loved.

FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY

Jim with his parents Arielle and Arthur Stocker

FROM THE FAMILY

ALPHA Retreat 2006

FROM THE FAMILY

Baptized in the Jordan River

FROM THE FAMILY

Jim's Senior Prom 1950

FROM THE FAMILY
FROM THE FAMILY

Austria

FROM THE FAMILY

Crosspoint

FROM THE FAMILY

Easter 1952

FROM THE FAMILY