BURGAW — Jack Gilbert Stocks, age 90, of Burgaw, NC passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at home surrounded with loving family.
Jack was born in the back room of the family farmhouse in Old Dock, NC to Matthew Gaston Stocks and Oneta FormyDuval Stocks on July 17, 1934. He was the Seventh Son of the Seventh Son. In addition to his parents, Jack was predeceased by his brothers, Belton, Bruce, Burris, Sledge, Thurston, Ottoway, and Ray; his sister, Sally Batten; and his grandson, Mark Allen Stocks, Jr.
Jack is survived by his wife, Susan Stocks; his children, daughter, Pam Warner (Jeff); sons, Mark Stocks (Glenda) and Jimmy Cain; stepdaughter, Heather Ruddell (Corey Bowden); grandchildren, Bella and Tara Warner, and Chip Swinson. Jack is also survived by his lifelong dear friend, William Oliver.
After graduation from Old Dock and Nakina High School in 1953 Jack was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served honorably for two years. He was in the Army National Guard from 1952-1953 and in the inactive Army Reserves from 1955-1961. After graduating in 1958 from Wilmington College Jack went to work for the Corbett Family as a land surveyor. If you were buying, selling, developing, or building in southeastern NC between 1960’s through 1990’s, almost 80% of every final plat originated from his desk. He provided his services to projects in Pender, Onslow, New Hanover, and Brunswick Counties and was instrumental in the overall development of the Leland area and Leland Industrial Park. He was inducted into the Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Hall of Fame in 2014 and was a member of the North Carolina Society of Surveyors.
Jack was a faithful member of St Mary’s Episcopal-Lutheran Church in Burgaw, North Carolina where he served on the Vestry for many years as both Senior and Junior Warden.
He loved baseball and enjoyed attending games with his good buddy, Michael Underwood, particularly the Atlanta Braves games. Few people knew that Jack played baseball in 1946 for the Crusoe Cardinals, an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1946. Jack also loved his family. Whether he was clamming on Father’s Day with Pam, Mark, Jeff, Bella, Tara, and Chip or scrambling eggs on Christmas morning for 15 family members, that was when he was the happiest. During those family get-togethers, Jack told one “bout like the time” story after another, making memories. Very often in conversations he’d say, “Aw man, you got to understand how lucky you are, FAMILY is the most important thing you will ever have.” Jack loved all little children and enjoyed being around them. He had a particular soft spot for Isabel (Izzy) Marshburn, and she loved “Papa Jack” just as much as he loved her. He was a good, caring, loving man who was always helping others, never wanting any acknowledgement or thanks. Jack would be surprised at how many lives he has touched. Jack Stocks made the world a better place because he was in it.
Funeral services will be held at St Mary’s Episcopal Church, 506 S. McNeil St., Burgaw, NC, at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2024, with The Rev. Ronald G. Abrams officiating. Following the service there will be a reception in the church Parish Hall.
The burial will be in the FormyDuval Cemetery on NC Hwy 130, 13866 New Britton E, Nakina, NC on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 2 p.m. with The Rev. Jeff Stocks officiating.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to St. Mary’s ECW, PO Box 841, Burgaw, NC 28425, to benefit the children in our area.
Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family here.
