Dr. Albert Doc C Stocker

Dr. Albert C. Stocker, 88, of Evansville, passed away Friday, March 11, 2011, at Pine Haven Health Center. He is absent from his earthly body and present with his Lord. (II Cor. 5:8) He was born December 21, 1922, the longest night of the year as he often reminded us, to Charles and Amealia Stocker, next to the youngest of six brothers and three sisters. He was a member of Lions Club, Hadi Shrine and West Side Nut Club.

As a young boy he joined his brothers and sisters working on the family farm. His career in business began when he took over the paper delivery route his brothers and sisters had worked for many years. About the same time his love of music would influence him and play a large part of his life until his death. All City Band and Shrine Circus was his first paying job. His brother Jim provided him with the “gig” in 1936 – 1937. He played or was band leader of, The Shrine Circus Band for nearly seventy years, except for the time he served in WWII, and College University Illinois. Al graduated from F. J. Reitz in 1940, and worked for BK Hardware. In 1942 he joined the Army Air Corps after Walter Moll encouraged him, along with Hurb Northcut, to join the Army Air Corps Band in Mobil, AL. He started Air Corps career in radio school, and after several months, applied for Cadets, and was accepted, attended Peabody College, TN, where he started flight training. Al was then stationed at Maxwell Field, Montgomery, AL. There he met his wife, Betty Sue Brinkley, who worked on the base and they married on the base, with a Cadet ceremony on April 8, 1945. He then transferred to Texas for Flight Engineer training on B-29s. After the war in 1946, he attended Evansville College and University of Illinois at Chicago (School of Optometry, Class of 1949). He opened his practice on West Franklin Street from 1949 to 2004. His musical career continued, “Doc’s Dixieland Band”, and was one of the joys in his life. He played or sat in with many musical greats including: Al Hurt, Boots Randolf, Doc Severson and Hank Williams. Among his accomplishments, Al played for a party honoring Jimmy Stewart. Jimmy asked him, “How do you get that Glen Miller sound? Call me when you get to Hollywood!”

Doc Stocker was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Sue Brinkley Stocker; and second wife, Lois Goad Stocker.

He is Doc’s three joys in life: studying the Bible and sharing the word of Jesus, helping people thru his practice of Optometry, and playing music.

Services will be 10:30 AM Thursday, March 17, 2011, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 2227 W. Michigan Street, officiated by Charles Stocker. Friends may visit Wednesday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Alexander West Chapel, 2100 West Illinois Street. In lieu of flowers, tell someone you know, about Jesus’ love for them. And oh yes, offer them a Jesus card.

Our prayer for Albert Doc Stocker is that his Lord Jesus will greet him, well done good and faithful servant.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lions Club.