Loy Stockton

TUSCOLA: Kenneth Loy Stockton, November 14, 1934-September 12, 2017.

Loy Stockton began his dash on earth as the first son of John and Irene Stockton. He was born at home on a farm near Tuscola, TX. The son of a long line of farmers, his destiny was set and he followed it with a passion.

A man who lives 82 years makes more than one dash at life!

First, he was the big brother to Pat, Carol and Johnnie. They grew up accustomed to hard work and sometimes hard times as children of the Depression and WWII years. A favorite pastime was playing baseball behind his uncle Hugh Stockton's barn with family and friends. Later, he would be a Texas Ranger fan.

He attended the Tuscola/South Taylor schools, graduated in 1953. In high school he loved playing football, showing calves for FFA and even began farming on his own during his junior year.

After three years in the Texas National Guard, he went into the Army where he became proficient as a heavy equipment operator, proudly graduating that training at the top of his class. At Ft. Sill, he accompanied the guard of the big gun of the day, "Atomic Annie," and was at the demonstration visited by Prince Constantine of Greece who soon became a King and was eventually deposed in a 1967 coup.

Loy was only too happy to return to farming in the Jim Ned Valley after his discharge from service. He and his brother, Pat also did some seasonal custom harvesting in the Panhandle.

In 1965, Loy married Linda Pettus and they recently observed their 52nd anniversary. They had two children, Steve and Deidra, and were blessed with 11 grandchildren.
During the 1980's Loy served as a director on the board of the First State Bank in Tuscola and was a partner in the operation of the Tuscola Grain Elevator.

Eventually, he was happy to leave those ventures and devote his full time to his first love of farming wheat, corn, maize, and cotton.

Loy was a faithful member of the Tuscola United Methodist Church, serving as chairman of the trustees during the addition of 4 classrooms. To the end, he served as unofficial tree trimmer, limb remover for the church grounds.

Loy was preceded in death by his daughter, Deidra Goodman, May 16, 2017. He was also preceded by his parents and his brother, Pat, and a baby brother, William Joe.

He is survived by his wife, Linda, one son, Steve Stockton, and grandchildren, Hugh John, Jaqueline and Jimmy Stockton of Tuscola; Parker, Loy, Nathan, Kevin, Billy and Iris Goodman of Tuscola; Bruce and Matthew Goodman of Abilene, and their dad, Wayne Goodman of Tuscola. He is also survived by two sisters, Carol Ransom of Ballinger, Johnnie Boatmum of Tuscola, one dear aunt, Lola Maxwell of Abilene and a host of nephews, nieces and cousins.

A private burial service was Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at the Tuscola Cemetery.

A funeral service will be at 11:00am Saturday, September 16, 2017 at the Tuscola United Methodist Church with Rev. Ryan Goodwin Officiating, directed by Fry!Smith Funeral Home, Tuscola.

Donations in Loy”s name can be made to the Tuscola Cemetery Association, PO Box 293, Tuscola, Tx 79562.

Condolences can be left at www.fry-smith.com