James W. Stocker

Passed away on Sunday, May 6, 2012. He was able to remain in his home through the age of 90 with the assistance and companionship of his grandson, Daniel Wilber. Jim had two daughters, Ann and Jane. Jim was born in Fairbury, Nebraska on July 30, 1921. He grew up with four brothers and sisters. Jim worked on local farms and at his dad's gas station while going to school. Following his high school graduation he applied for duty as a naval aviator. At his initial medical screening the doctor informed him his hay fever would prevent him from flying, so he decided to become an apprentice seaman and entered Boot Camp in San Diego. He was trained in radar operations and he proudly served the country in WWII, the Korean War and was in the Navy Reserves until he was sixty. During WWII he served on the Cimarron and in his retirement he delighted in attending many Cimarron and in his retirement he delighted in attending many Cimarron reunions in locations throughout the country. Several years ago, Jim and his daughter Ann planned and hosted the Cimarron reunion in Santa Barbara which served as a very fond memory for him. Jim graduated from USC with a degree in business and spent his career working for Travelers Insurance Company as a claims adjuster. He received many offers of promotion, but he wouldn't leave Santa Barbara. He firmly believed this was the best place in the world to raise his family. We also know he loved the proximity to his beloved municipal golf course and Lake Cachuma. Jim was an active member of the Kiwanis Club for years and worked on many of their fundraising activities and community service projects. After retirement from Travelers, Jim was busy fishing, golfing and traveling. One of his favorite activities was the organization of the Santa Barbara City Men's Senior Golf Championship. He was the event director for eighteen years. In later years he joined the Elks Club which became a regular destination for him right up to his last day when he attended the Barflys bar-b-que. Jim's wife, Kay, passed away in 1999. Together they enjoyed traveling and an active social life. Kay did not like the outdoors as much as Jim but she weathered many family camping trips as they raised their girls. However, both Ann and Jane remember camping trips with just their father so Kay was often able to wiggle out of it somehow. Because Jim instilled a sense of adventure and a joy of exploring in both his daughters, they too enjoy traveling. Rarely did either of them take a trip without taking their dad along for the journey. In his last years, Jim traveled to Lake Tahoe, San Diego, Monterey, Arizona, Hawaii, New England, Washington, Rock Creek, June Lake and most recently Ann accompanied him on a two week cruise through the Panama Canal. He was 89! There will be no formal services. If you'd like to make a small donation in his honor please select your favorite charity or designate your choice of one of the following Elks Club projects: Assistance for Santa Barbara Veterans; or "Major Project" which supports physically challenged children; or Scholarship Fund, which helps local students continue their post secondary education. Santa Barbara Elks 613, 150 N. Kellogg Ave., Santa Barbara, Ca 93111. The Stocker family thanks you.

James W. Stocker

July 30, 1921 - May 6, 2012