Stoeckl, Joseph Louis, age 92 of Orlando, FL, peacefully went home to be with The Lord on February 3, 2013. He was the only son of Joseph and Myrtle Stoeckl of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Margie Stoeckl, his daughters, Gloria (Thomas Robert) Kirkland of Orlando and Karen Crowson of Lithia, five grandchildren Thomas M. Kirkland of Orlando, Christina Kirkland Adams (Tony), of Land 'O Lakes, Brad Joseph Kirkland of Orlando, Bradley Crowson of Lithia, Allison Crowson of Gainesville, two great grandchildren Cailan and Colin Adams of Land 'O Lakes.
After Pearl Harbor, in 1942, Joe and a Civil Service crew from Pennsylvania opened Palm Beach Air Force Base where he met his future wife, Margie Bronson. He enlisted in the Air Force Cadets at Drake University at Des Moines, Iowa. After he received his commission as a lieutenant, he married his fianceé. He was trained as a B-29 bombardier. After the US dropped the atomic bomb, he received orders "Destination Tokyo." Two weeks before that date, however, Japan surrendered. The happy couple completed his enlistment and headed home to Florida. In 1964, he joined NASA as head of Quality Control for the Gemini & Apollo programs and received NASA's Exceptional Service Award Sept. 19, 1975, for his part in the first international flight. He retired from NASA in 1976 with thirty-five years of service with the US government. He just received his pin for fifty years as a 32nd degree Mason. "Granddaddy" enjoyed his retirement participating in many family celebrations proud of all his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was a loving and generous husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather and he will be missed greatly but the family is resting in the Biblical promise that we will see him again.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Campus Crusade for Christ.
The family will receive guests on Wednesday, February 6, 2013, from 1:00 pm-2:00 pm, at Woodlawn Funeral Home (400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, FL. 34734: 407-293-1361). Funereal service will be on Wednesday, February 6, 2013, at 2:00 pm, at Woodlawn Funeral Home.
Arrangements entrusted to Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home. Condolences may be offered at www.woodlawnfuneralhomegotha.com.
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