Jerry Patrick Stockton

Jerry Patrick Stockton, age 91, passed away in the comfort of his home in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, on May 31, 2024.  He was born on March 17, 1933, to the late Warland T. Stockton and Felena Cartwright Stockton in Mulberry, Arkansas.  He is preceded in death by his 3 sisters, Una Cox, Freddie Burson, and Maxine Lancaster, and 2 brothers W.C. and Wilson Stockton, and a son-in-law, David Compton.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy Joyce [Smedley] Stockton of 67 years and his three daughters and their families; Cathy [Ronnie] McKinnon, Debbie [Wayne] Stark, and Julie Compton, all of Murfreesboro, Arkansas.  He leaves behind 6 grandchildren; Shelley [Ronald] Pettigrew of Nashville, Arkansas, Brad [Shelley] McKinnon of Nashville, Arkansas, Command Sergeant Major Ryan [Kristen] Stark of Sherwood, Arkansas, Major Jarrett [Lonnie] Stark of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Justin Compton of Murfreesboro, Arkansas,  Jordan Compton of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and 11 great-grandchildren, a special sister-in-law, Pat McKnight of Murfreesboro, Arkansas, a brother-in-law, Charles [Wanda] Smedley of Winsboro, Texas, and a multitude of beloved nieces, nephews, and close friends.

Jerry joined the Arkansas Army National Guard at Ozark, Arkansas, at the age of 17.  He spent his 18th birthday serving his country in the Korean War Conflict.  Honoring him for his service in the Korean War, he recently received the Ambassador for Peace Medal from the Ministry of Patriots & Veterans Affairs.  After returning home from his time of service abroad, he entered college at Arkansas Tech in Russellville, Arkansas.  Because of his experience as a wireline sergeant overseas, he was offered a job with Allied Telephone Company as a technician installing telephone poles and cabling. This resulted in his leaving school and beginning a career with the telephone company where he developed some very special life-long relationships. While on a construction/cabling job in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, he met the love of his life, Peggy Smedley. They entered in marriage on March 16, 1957, settling in the community of Quitman, Arkansas.   He continued his career with Alltel Telephone Company working in various communities around Arkansas, retiring with 41 years of service in the telephone industry. Their final destination landed them back in Murfreesboro, where their life-long relationship of 67 years began.   This is where they decided to call home and raise their three girls.

Jerry was a lover of sports, more especially basketball.  He was an avid Razorback fan, no matter the sport.  Early on he played adult men’s intramural basketball, he was assistant coach for pee wee basketball, and he spent countless hours teaching and playing backyard basketball with his girls and his grandchildren, supporting them in their many endeavors.

A memorial service will be held on at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at the First United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro with Rev. James Wainscott and Rev. Jim Henderson officiating. Services are under the direction of Latimer Funeral Home of Murfreesboro.