John Jennings ‘Jack’ Stockman, a small-town Ohio boy who graduated high school, joined the Navy, then came home to start the family that would be the joy of his life, passed away on Tuesday, December 5 at home in Pompano Beach. He was 94.
For the past six years, Stockman had been fighting off Multiple Myeloma, a diagnosis that left him neither idle nor dispirited. He continued to golf, socialize and enjoy his many civic obligations well into his illness.
In the end, he passed away peacefully at home. His wife of 65 years, Esther, was with him, as was their daughter, Kerry, and her husband, Joe Foligno.
“He was so amazing,” said his daughter, who he had called ‘Sissy’ since she was a little girl. “He lived so long after his diagnosis and he was positive and healthy at every stage.”
Born September 20, 1923, Stockman was the son of Carl and Nellie Rigdon Stockman, of Lisbon, Ohio. He graduated from David Anderson High School in 1941 and reported shortly thereafter for his military service. But once finished, he returned directly home to help his family survive the hard times of that post-war era.
On November 29, 1952, he married the former Esther Mick. The couple celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary a week before his death.
Jack and Esther Stockman started their family in Lisbon in a house not far from where Stockman spent his boyhood. After getting settled into married life, Stockman started working at the local print shop. He developed an interest in harness racing that eventually led to his life long career as an accomplished harness dealer and all around ‘good guy’ at harness racetracks in Pennsylvania and at Pompano Park in Florida. In the early 1960s he moved his family to Pompano Beach.
When his children were young, Stockman coached and refereed youth basketball. He remained a member of the American Legion Auxiliary until his passing. He was active and a strong member of their family church. And boy did he love to golf. When Stockman became a little too ill to swing the club, he would still meet the fellows at the clubhouse to ride along as they hit the ball. He served the last 17 years on the Golf Advisory Board of Pompano Beach City Commission.
Among his most prized possessions were the two green jackets in his bedroom closet that he wore home after winning the Club Master at the Pompano Beach Men’s Golf Association in 2009 and 2010.
Besides his wife, daughter and son-in-law, he is survived by a son, Tad Jennings Stockman, an accomplished retired racing official with whom he talked about with great pride, and Tad’s wife, Dorene Stockman. The couple lives in Foxboro, Mass.
Two devoted granddaughters also survive him, Valerie Kay and Melanie Joe Foligno. Stockman was preceded in death by his younger brother, Richard ‘Dick’ Stockman and two loving sisters, Nedra Smith and Melvena Reese.
A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on December 21 at First Christian Church of Pompano Beach, 1860 N.E. 39th St., Pompano Beach, FL., 33064. There will be no graveside service.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Jack Stockman.