Obituary of Jean Marie Stocker

Jean Marie Stocker ~ 94 Vancouver, Washington March 8, 1922 ~ October 1, 2016 Jean Marie Morris Stocker passed away on October 1st, 2016, at the age of 94, 10 days after having a stroke while at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center. She was born March 8, 1922 in Whitford, Oregon (near present day Beaverton) to Paul Richardson and Leta Demoss. The family lived near Powell Butte in Portland and briefly in Brookings, Or. before moving back to Portland about 1927 when her father became an air brakeman for the Union Pacific Railroad. She attended Joseph Kellogg Elementary, Glencoe School and graduated from Washington High School, after which she attended business college. At the age of 16, a girlfriend introduced Jean to Charles (Chet) Morris. They dated for 5 years until he joined the Army. On his first furlough home, they were married at the Vancouver Barracks in Vancouver, Washington on April 3, 1943. They honeymooned in Lincoln City, Oregon at the Dorchester House. When the war began, she started working at the Kaiser shipyards as a secretary in the office the Personnel Manager. In May, 1945, while Chet was in the Phillippines, their first child, Paul, was born. After Chet returned home, they settled in Portland and in December, 1946, a second son, Craig, was born. Through the years they lived in Salem, Oregon, where their daughter Marcia was born in May 1951, Walla Walla, Washington and finally Longview, Washington, where their last child, William, was born in January, 1956. They raised their family in Longview, attended the Longview Community Church and made many lifelong friends there. Jean worked as a secretary at RA Long High School for many years before finally moving to Tri-Cities, Washington, in 1974, where she worked for Juvenile Parole Services. When Chet retired for health reasons in 1981 they moved to Vancouver, Washington, where she worked for Child Protective Services until her retirement in 1987. After retiring she volunteered as a docent at the Marshall House on Officer’s Row, giving tours to the public. Chet passed away in 1991 and three years later she married an old childhood friend, Eldon Stocker. Sadly Eldon passed away soon after. For many years afterward, Jean volunteered at Southwest Washington Medical Center. She liked to stay busy and was known for her upbeat attitude. Her biggest pleasures in life were road trips and family get togethers. She also loved cards and going to the casino to play the slots. She had a great sense of humor, something she passed on to her kids. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Don and sister, Carolyn. She is survived by her four children: Paul Morris of Seattle, Washington; Craig Morris (Linda) of Vancouver, Washington; Marcia Morris of Hope, Idaho; Bill Morris (Janet) of Palmer Lake, Colorado; 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. A few years ago in reminiscing about her life she wrote, “I am now a widow again, but most thankful for all the wonderful memories and gifts of love I have been given. My blessings are the wonderful loving children and grandchildren I do have, and the wonderful friends I have made through the years. Life has not always been easy but I feel so blessed. I have loved and have been loved and that is what life is all about”. No funeral service is planned. The family asks that any donations be made to Ray Hickey Hospice House, Vancouver, Wa.