James Blair Stock's Obituary
It is with great sadness that the family of James Blair Stock announces his death, which occurred on January 30, 2023 in Germantown, Tennessee.
Jim was born on March 23, 1933 in North Bay, Ontario to Blair J. Stock and Ida Bernadette Mulligan. He grew up in Mimico, a small community just west of Toronto on Lake Ontario. Along with his two beloved brothers Charlie and Bill, he had many an adventure growing up in a small-town atmosphere. Stories abound of his working as a pin boy in a local bowling alley, jumping onto empty freight cars at the Mimico train station, and exploring with his brothers the large drain pipes that ended at the lake shore using lit newspapers as torches. At age 16, he had a job driving a horse-drawn milk wagon for residential deliveries. His story about the day the horse bolted and tore through the streets of Mimico racing back to the barn, widened the eyes of his children and grandchildren.
Jim started working at a young age for the Central & Eastern Illinois Railroad and made the commute by train to downtown Toronto with his father who worked for the Canadian National Railroad. This, along with the freight train hopping, no doubt, led to a lifelong interest and many years of employment with “The Railroad”.
Jim met the love of his life and best friend, Lucille White, at St Leo’s Church Dramatic Club in Mimico. They married in 1956 and began building a wonderful life together. Their partnership was their foundation.
In 1959 he and Lucille took on the challenge of a promotion with the C&EI Railroad and moved to the United States with two small children. After a few years in St. Louis, Jim accepted a job offer with the Illinois Central Railroad and moved to Chicago Heights, Illinois. Jim and Lucille’s family grew to 7 children by the time another job move took them back to St. Louis in 1972. By this time Jim’s work had shifted to economic development for the railroad, a profession that he found very satisfying.
In 1976 he accepted a job with the Belz organization in Memphis and the family made its last big relocation. He held a great respect for Jack Belz and valued the time he spent with that company until his retirement in 2002.
Jim’s contributions extended beyond Belz Enterprises to the entire Memphis industrial community. He was a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Memphis Uniport Association, and was a member and past president of the Tennessee Industrial Development Council. He was active in the Southern Economic Development Council, the National Waterways Conference, Lamda Alpha International, and the Mississippi Economic Development Council.
Jim loved his family, his work and his community. He devoted himself to service in ways that were quiet and consistent. He was serious about keeping his commitments and cared greatly about others. He and Lucille were devoted members of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Germantown. He served on many committees over the years and was a lector as well as a member of The Merry Makers and the Knights of Columbus.
Once his career required less travel, he began coaching girls softball, coaching the teams of his three youngest daughters for several years, and continued coaching afterwards for several more. He liked his teams to win, but he never raised his voice as a coach. He preferred encouragement as his coaching approach and was proud of his teams. Once retired he began volunteering in the elementary classroom of his daughter Julia. Once a week, for over 10 years, he taught science and social studies skills to small groups of children. More than anything he loved teaching kids about maps.
Jim also loved being a grandfather. He celebrated his grandchildren’s accomplishments, large and small. He had the pleasure of knowing two great-grandchildren before his death. Jim instilled in his children and grandchildren the importance of family and staying connected. Lucille and Jim taught by example. The many years of heading North in a station wagon full of kids to Ontario every summer to see Canadian family set an expectation of commitment to family and relationships.
Jim and Lucille moved to The Village at Germantown in 2015. They formed great friendships there and enjoyed being a part of that community.
Jim is survived by his children Kathryn (wife Deb Tinnin), Teresa (husband Matt Cychowski), Blair (wife Mary), Julia (husband Allen Carpenter III), Alice and Frank (wife Deana). Also, grandchildren Anna (husband Drew Hagan), Madeline Cychowski, Abbey McCort (husband Matt), Joseph (partner Elizabeth Williams), Kevin (husband Matty Bailey-Carpenter), Sarah Carpenter, Jeremy (wife Amy) Patterson, Suzanne (husband Richard) Bunker, and Tucker Stock.
Also, great grandchildren Mary Helen Patterson and Nathan James Hagan.
Also survived by the Toronto Stocks, including Charlie and Sandra and their children Brian, Kevin (wife Michelle), and Karen. Simone (husband Misha Skoric) and Genevieve Stock.
Jim’s sister-in-law Marie Ubdegrove and her husband Lennis of Kingston, Ontario, and their daughter Yvonne Sonneveld.
Preceded in death by Lucille, his wife of 59 years. His daughter, Helen Patterson. His brother Bill Stock and Bill’s wife, Andree.
Visitation will be held Thursday, February 9 from 5-7 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis.
A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, February 10 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 8151 Poplar Ave., Germantown.
There will be a reception at the church following Mass.
Donations in Jim’s memory may be made to St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen, MIFA, or the charity of your choice.
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