Sad APO news
 

Sorry to crash your board, but this fine young man was also an APO brother from Lambda Phi chapter. None of the obituaries mention APO but they sent a beautiful flower arrangement and I met some of the brothers at the funeral home. They brought a beautiful picture board of some of their activities. He was also my cousin. He had graduated magna cum laude from EMU and had gotten engaged the week before his death.

Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2005

Sam Stocker
Sam Stocker, 22, a lifelong resident of Royal Oak, died Saturday, Oct. 1, 2005, in East Lansing. He was born March 9, 1983, in Royal Oak.

Mr. Stocker was a 2001 graduate of Dondero High School, Royal Oak. He received a Bachelor of Arts at Eastern Michigan University. He was most recently pursuing a master's degree at Michigan State University.

He was very active in Scouting and was a life member of the Boy Scouts. He also was an Eagle Scout. He served as chairman of the Order of Arrow for two years and was a president of the Venturers for the United States. He was an affiliate of the Sons of the American Legion-Berkley Post. He formerly taught catechism in Ypsilanti.

Mr. Stocker is survived by his parents, Gary and Mary Stocker of Royal Oak; grandparents, Celia (the late Ben) Stocker, and Bill and Phyllis Tokar; fiancee, Alana Morosky; siblings, James and Joe Farrington and Crystal Stocker; nephew, Anthony; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Visitation, 5-8 p.m. today, William Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 705 W. 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak; further visitation, 1 p.m. Wednesday until 7 p.m. service, funeral home; a cremation is being performed; memorials, Boy Scouts of America; www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com.

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your cousin and our Brother. :(

Someone posted about him on the LJ APO community. (It is a locked post so I can't link it here) I didn't know he was your cousin...my sympathies to you, your family, and the rest of our Michigan Brothers. He sounds like he was a wonderful person.

Clarification on Sam Stocker (I had heard about this thru my scouting connections, but didn't know he was a Brother).

Sam had been the Lodge Chief of OA Lodge Migisi Opawgan of the Detroit Area Council. (he was not a chairman). I.e., he was the head elected youth leader of this lodge.

He had served as the National Venturing President from 2002-2003. Venturing is the BSA's older youth program for those 14-20. He received the National Venturing Leadership Award for this work. He was the head elected youth leader of this program. Not sure what else he might have done while the NVP.

I have yet to hear what happened. Accident? Illness?

More info:

Condolences may be sent to Sam's parents: Gary and Mary Stocker,
1514 Longfellow Ave. Royal Oak, MI 48067-3326

Tributes may be made to the Detroit Area Council, BSA Tribute Fund,
1776 W. Warren Ave. Detroit, MI 48208.

(there is some information about Sam at the website of the Detroit Area Council and his OA Lodge)