He was born December 4, 1941 to John Welker Stockton and Leah Dorothy (Smelker) Stockton in Dayton, Ohio. He graduated from Bowling Green High School in 1959 and went on to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Theatre from The Ohio State University in 1964 and a Masters in Journalism there in 1966. He left for the bright lights of New York City, where he worked as a film editor for NBC News, and met his future wife Donna, a nurse, originally from Rockford, Michigan, on a blind date. They married in 1965, before returning to the midwest to start a family.
Phil found a vocation in educational film-making, which combined his passions for film-making and educating. He taught film-making and produced educational documentaries as Director of Audio-Visual Production at Indiana University, and then as Vice President of Production for Encyclopaedia Britannica Educational Corporation in Chicago. He and Donna retired to Michigan to enjoy lake life, bridge, golf, grandparenting and extensive travels.
He was an extraordinarily kind, loving and empathetic husband and father and devoted friend. He will be remembered for his kind eyes, quiet smile and love of The Ohio State. For almost 60 years, Phil and Donna were well-matched and inseparable partners in life, and all of us who survive him are grateful for the gift of his love and our time and presence with him.
He is survived by Donna; his children John Arthur Stockton and Virginia Anne (Stockton) Cardoza; four loving grandchildren: Graham Philip and Lucas John Stockton, and John (Jack) Philip and Caroline Elizabeth Cardoza; and daughter-in-law Samantha Ann Stockton. He was predeceased by his parents, his son-in-law Marc Thomas Cardoza, and his brother James Arthur Stockton.
The family will be celebrating his life together this summer. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, or to Hospice of Holland. The family wishes to extend its gratitude to the excellent staff at Quincy Place Senior Living.
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