Wendell "Stocker" Stocker

Wendell Harold Stocker, 80, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on August 19th, 2023, in Grand Junction, CO. His passing marks the loss of a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother. 

Stocker was born on October 31st, 1942, in Grand Junction, CO. He graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1960 and spent two years in the US Army. Choosing to forge his own path in life, he went to work as a roughneck in the harsh oil and gas fields. Over the next 40+ years, Stocker would work in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, Montana, and California as he worked his way up to Tool Pusher, Company Man and Consultant. Stocker was respected in the industry for his dedication, grit, and determination to get the job done.

In 1967, Stocker married Cheryl Wood. He and Cheryl built a large and loving family, starting with their three children: Joe, Karena, and Jeff. The family would continue to grow over the next 55 years together with the addition of his beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Although often forced to work long hours, Stocker found time to enjoy motorcycling, four-wheeling, and rafting with his family.

Stocker had a special bond with his grandchildren. He loved spending time with his grandson Vincent, who he always kept a stash of Slim Jim’s for in his truck. And despite a stroke in 2013 which robbed him of much of his verbal abilities and independence, he would often travel to spend time with his other grandson, Bishop, in Denver and Washington state. His devotion to family continued with his two great-grandchildren, Everly and Colton.

Stocker is survived by his wife, Cheryl, three children, Joseph (Fruita, CO), Karena (m. John Rose, Port Angeles, WA), and Jeffrey (Grand Junction, CO), two grandchildren, Vincent (m. Mikayla Stocker, Grand Junction, CO) and Bishop (Port Angeles, WA), two great-grandchildren, Everly and Colton (Grand Junction, CO), two sisters, Shirley Littrell (m. Robert Littrell, Cheboygan, MI) and Yvonne Young (Eugene, OR), and two beloved dogs, Sadie and Jethro. 

Family and friends are welcome to attend a celebration of life, which will be held at the family farm (1878 K Road, Fruita, CO) on September 9th at 1:00 PM.