James Allen Stocks

James Allen Stocks passed away on December 5, 2017 after a brief illness in Gordon Hospice House, in Statesville, NC. He was 87 years old. Born in Laurinburg, NC in 1930, Jim spent his early years in Lumberton, NC, where he was widely known by his nickname, “Sonny”. He graduated from Lumberton High School in 1948. His passion was everything automotive, but he had a particular soft spot for classic BMWs. He served honorably in the Air Force from 1948 until 1953, travelling the US on the Air Force baseball team, and working as an airplane mechanic both in the UK and back in the States. After leaving the service, he married Loyce Anne Moore of Savannah, GA in June of 1956, and began working for Kodak (then known as “Recordak”), first in the support division before moving into a successful sales career. Jim and Anne lived in Georgia and Florida (where they had their two sons, Carl “Skip” and Andrew “AJ”), before moving to Charlotte and Lumberton North Carolina. They finally settled down in Cary, NC, where he retired and they lived for 33 years. After Anne took a fall, they moved to Kingston Assisted Living in Hickory, NC, then Abernathy Laurals Assisted Living in Newton, NC. After Anne passed in 2016, he moved to Summit Place in Mooresville, NC. Jim loved basketball, and golf, but was particularly gifted at baseball. He was skilled with all things mechanical, and had a natural talent for figuring things out. His deep and lifelong Christian faith led him to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and service to others, particularly in the “Meals on Wheels” program with Anne. He was at all times a model husband, father, brother son, neighbor and friend. His word was his bond in the most literal sense; his integrity was beyond question, and all who came in contact with him were impressed with his sweet nature, ready smile and quick wit.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Rozier Lee and Annie Mae Stocks of Lumberton, NC; his brother, R.L. of High Point NC, sister Helen of Lumberton, wife Anne and son A.J. of Garner, NC. He is survived by a son Carl "Skip" Allen Stocks, and wife, Josie Johnson-Stocks, and a daughter-in-law, Lianne Grasslee Stocks (wife of Anne and Jim's deceased son, Andrew). Surviving also are six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, all of whom he delighted in, and who gleefully returned the feelings.

A celebration of Jim's life will be held on Friday, January 26th, 2018 at 2:00 pm at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Cary, North Carolina, where his ashes will be interred with Anne’s in St. Paul's Memorial Garden. Alexander Funeral and Cremation Service of Taylorsville, North Carolina is serving the Stocks family. Condolences may be sent to www.alexfuneralservice.com .

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in his memory be sent to:
• St. Paul's Memorial Garden, 221 Union Street, Cary, North Carolina
• North Carolina State Troopers Association, 3505 Vernon Woods Drive, Summerfield, NC 27358
• Alzheimer’s Association of North Carolina, 4615 Dundas Dr, Greensboro, NC 27407
• Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Rd, Statesville, NC 28625
• Or a charity of your choosing