OBITUARY

John E. Stockton

October 25, 1930–July 9, 2023

John Erick Stockton passed away peacefully at Dayton General Hospital on July 9, 2023.

John was born in Moline, Ill. to Homer and Alice Stockton on October 25, 1930. His family later moved to Davenport, Ia., where he attended school and was involved in football, and track and field. After high school he attended Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill. During his college years, he continued to be involved in football and track.

His college career was interrupted when he enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean War. He was stationed at Fairchild Air Force base in Spokane, Wash. While he was stationed in Spokane, he fell in love with the Northwest climate and country. When he finished his term in the Air Force, he enrolled in Eastern Washington College. While there, he met Leah Oates where she was working on a degree in Education. On March 18, 1956 they were married in Richland, Wash., and thus began their marriage of 67 years.

After graduating from Eastern, they began their teaching careers in Greencreek, Idaho, where they were half the staff. While there, their three children, Stan, Dawn, and Kim were born. After they lived in Greencreek, Idaho, they moved to Harrison, Idaho where John taught and coached.

From Harrison, they moved to Dayton, Wash., where John continued his teaching and coaching career at Dayton High School. John enjoyed teaching Biology, Chemistry, and Physical Education and was passionate about coaching football and track. He was always eager to expand upon his knowledge of science and so, during summers, he attended Nation Science Foundation seminars, "so he could 'learn' them kids".

During summers, he also worked various jobs such as painting buildings, driving wheat truck, and working for Green Giant as the foreman of the bug crew.

John retired from teaching in 1985. He continued being involved in coaching by working with the football and track athletes.

He is survived by his wife Leah, his son Stan (Kathy) in Cibolo, Texas, his daughter Dawn in Denver, Colorado, and his daughter Kim, in Moscow, Idaho. Grandchildren include Ian (Ashley), Allan, Helen, Joshua, Benjamin (Erin), and great-grandchildren, Cyrus, and Dekker.

There will be a celebration of life at a later date.

A special thank you to the amazing and wonderful doctor and nurses who cared for John at Dayton General Hospital.

Corbeill Funeral Home of Dayton is caring for the family. http://www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com