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John George Stoecker Jr. – May 5, 1923 – August 24, 2008.
Duty, Bravery, Family, Golfing, Gardening, College. Born in Milwaukee, Wis., and former resident of Hampton, Va., and Wilmington, N.C., John George Stoecker Jr. passed away in Bridgewater, Va. He will be remembered as a handsome and charming husband, father, and friend with a great “flyboy” grin, a cheerful charismatic personality, and a competitive spirit.
John was predeceased by his gracious, patient and caring wife, Dorothy Wetzel Stoecker on April 10, 2008, after 63 years of marriage. He is predeceased by his parents, John G. Stoecker Sr., and Mary Smith Stoecker, and one sister, Arlene Karin, and is survived by two sisters, Marion Kiely of Waukesha, Wis., Carol Stoecker of Tucson, Ariz., and his brother, William Stoecker of Milwaukee, Wis. He is also survived by five children including Michael J. Stoecker of Gurnee, Ill., Patricia B. Stoecker of Burgaw, N.C., Kathy Prysock of Bridgewater, Va., John G. Stoecker III of Cos Cob, Conn., James J. Stoecker of Yorktown, Va.; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Mr. Stoecker graduated from Boys Technical High School in Milwaukee, Wis., in 1940 and worked for two years at Cutler-Hammer Inc. as a machine engraver. He joined the Army Air Force, completed pilot training school and served overseas as a pilot of the B-17 Flying Fortress with the 8th Air Force, 384th Bombardment Group. He flew more than 31 sorties over enemy occupied Europe out of Grafton Underwood, England, between January and April 1945 for which he was awarded the Air Medal and four Oak Leaf Clusters for bravery and meritorious achievement.
While serving in Korea and Vietnam he received an additional Air Medal and fifth Oak Leaf Cluster for meritorious achievement. Other tours of duty included overseas assignments to Japan and Okinawa and stateside assignments to Mississippi, Illinois, New Jersey, and Virginia. At the completion of his 27-year career with the Air Force, he retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
After retiring from the Air Force, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Old Dominion University. Shortly thereafter, he began a second career with the City of Hampton, Va., as a project manager in an affordable housing program. John enjoyed golfing, gardening, woodworking, church activities and music throughout his retirement.
Reassignment orders received, flight plan filed, and safety check completed, Dad will enjoy a well-deserved permanent assignment. Have a beautiful flight – we miss you so much Dad! Until we see you again, we’ll cherish our childhood memories, joyfully celebrating your return home from a mission. With you in your comfortable green flight suit with insignias, patches, and nametag, exhausted and in need of a shower and a shave, we were so happy you were home. Your beard stubble scratching our faces after every big hug from your muscular arms, we took turns sitting on your lap and laughing. Say hello to Mom!
Colonel Stoecker succumbed to complications of congestive heart failure that he fought for many years. He would want to thank the staff at White Birch Estates, Rockingham Memorial Hospital, and Bridgewater Nursing Home for their care and concern. John will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., alongside his wife and sweetheart, Dorothy, after a memorial service at the Fort Meyer Post Chapel.
John will be dearly missed by his family and friends and all who knew him.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kygers.com.
Arrangements entrusted to the Kyger Funeral Home, Harrisonburg, Va.
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