Ralph C. Stockton

Mr. Ralph C. Stockton, 86, of Avondale Estates died Friday, April 27, 2007.  A native of Little Rock, Ark., he was one of five sons and one daughter born to O.M. and Harriett Zimmerman Stockton, all who have preceded him in death. His teachers told his mother he had a good mind, but did not use it. He did not finish high school, but told his mother he wanted to join the Navy. He was serving aboard the USS Louisville and was to be in port at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 but was delayed at sea. His ship returned to Pearl Harbor where he saw mass destruction from the Japanese attack. He was commissioned  in the U.S. Navy at age 22 and retired as a non-commissioned officer after 20 years of service. A veteran of World War II, he served in the Pacific Theatre, and later was a veteran of the Korean Conflict. He along with his four brothers and a brother-in-law all returned home safely from World War II. Mr. Stockton attended Georgia Tech after the war and attended night school graduating from Southern Tech with an engineering degree and went to work for and eventually retired from Delta Airlines. He was an active member and Deacon of Columbia Presbyterian Church. He is survived by his wife, Betty G. Stockton of Avondale Estates; sons, Jim Stockton of Marietta, John Stockton and his wife, Anita of Littleton, CO; grandchildren, Clint, Stephanie, Luke, Tim and Jon David, also surviving are four great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Saturday, May 5, 2007 at Columbia Presbyterian Church with Dr. Tom Hagood officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Columbia Presbyterian Church, 711 South Columbia Dr. Decatur, GA  30030. The family will receive friends at the church the day of the service. A.S. Turner & Sons.