Edwin Charles Stocker

Born in Snohomish, WA on September 21, 1926 to Edwin F. and Sarah K. Stocker, Ed Jr. committed his life to agriculture and helping those around him.

Upon graduating from Snohomish High School in 1944, Ed enlisted in the Army and was already at Fort Benning, GA when the recruiting officer came knocking at the door with a draft notice for him.

His abilities qualified him for Officer Candidate School; and he was in Alaska preparing for an invasion of Japan when the war ended. He was ready to continue with a career in the military, until he was asked to return home by his father and take an ownership position in the growing dairy farm along Old Highway 1-A (now Airport Way) south of Snohomish.

With a love for agriculture and cows that stayed with him for a lifetime, Ed worked to improve the dairy and simultaneously serve his community. He started the Bicycle Tree 4-H club and recruited local youth to participate in its activities. It was while he juggled the demands of the farm and the 4-H club, now a 75 member organization, that he made a bet on the number of record books his 4-H club would turn in with the administrative assistants at the Snohomish County Extension Office. After losing the bet, he settled his debt with a chicken dinner at one of the local restaurants. Soon after, he asked a certain assistant to chaperone a roller skating party for his club. Ed and Edith were engaged a few months later and were married later in the year, on September 7, 1957.

While the nature of the small family farm grew and was changed by challenges and opportunities, Ed never wavered in his commitment to farming. While they raised their young family, Ed worked construction jobs to make ends meet. Often he put in full days building custom houses around the County and would return home to tend to the farming needs until the wee hours of the night, catching a few hours’ sleep before returning to his tools the next day.

All the while Ed spent time helping others. While Edith took over the 4-H club, Ed was involved in many other civic efforts. He served on the Snohomish Planning Commission, the Evergreen State Fair Board, Kiwanis, Lions Club, Snohomish Food Bank, Farm Bureau, Snohomish Conservation District, Natural Resource Conservation Services, and Cattleman’s Association and until his death, the Noxious Weed Board. He had a hand in many of the assets that serve the community including the original livestock barns at the Fairgrounds in Monroe, the original Hal Moe pool in Snohomish, the Snohomish Food Bank and the Snohomish Youth Soccer Association.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Sarah Stocker; his sister Ethel Schoknecht and brother Stanley Stocker. He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Edith; his brother Charles Stocker (Lu); daughter Diane McInnes; and sons Allen Stocker and Keith Stocker (Janet); along with seven grandchildren: Catherine, Laura, Allen, Colin, Brendan, Ivan and Raleigh; seven great-grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Services are being handled by Bauer Funeral Chapel, with a viewing opportunity Friday, June 9th, 4:00-7:00 p.m. There will be a graveside service at Zion Lutheran Cemetery on Saturday, June 10th at 1 p.m. followed by a reception at the Zion Lutheran Parish Hall from 2-4:30 p.m. The family invites anyone touched by Ed to join us in celebrating his life. In lieu of flowers to the family, please consider a charitable contribution to the Snohomish Food Bank, Zion Lutheran Church, or their favorite charity.