Colonel Norman Pierre Stoker

Colonel Norman Pierre Stoker, USAF Retired, son of Gardner M. Stoker and Mary F. Boucher, died on November 14, 2016 at the age of 96. Norman was one of fourteen children raised in the Depression era. Material belongings were scarce at best, but family life and love were always plentiful. Prior to his distinguished 31-year career as an Air Force Officer, which spanned three wars, he was a Pennsylvania coal miner and then a Washington, D.C. Fire Fighter. During WWII, he flew 52 successful bombing missions out of Italy in the B-24 (The Liberator) where he earned 5 Air Medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Other medals include the Legion of Merit and numerous service and organizational medals. Col. Stoker retired from the Air Force in 1973 out of MacDill AFB where he was the Inspector General. He earned his BSBA degree from the University of Florida and his MBA degree from the University of Texas. Following his Air Force career, he was the SWFWMD Assistant Executive Director, a Licensed Real Estate Broker, and Residential Contractor. Norman devoted his life to his family and his country. Protecting, serving, and loving until the end. He was the devoted and loving husband to Hattie Frances Smith Stoker for 59 years and 10 months, and proud father of: 3 sons, Mark (Ruth), Jeff (Cheryl), and Tim (Yvonne); 2 daughters, Susan (Ken) and Lisa (Mitch); 8 grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren. He departs this planet after a wonderful and exciting life to join his beautiful bride and love of his life once again. Viewing and visitation with family and friends will be at Blount and Curry Funeral Home on 3207 Bearss Ave, Tampa, FL on Thursday, November 17, 2016, from 4-7 pm. A funeral mass will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Friday, November 18, 2016, followed by refreshments. Norm will make his Last Blue Yonder trip to Beaverdale, Pennsylvania for interment. “No flowers. No gloom. I did it.”