Dr. Howard W. Stoker, Jr., 89, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and teacher passed away on August 15, 2014.
He was born in Highland Park, Ill. and served his country during World War II in the US Navy. He began his formal education and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
He received his Master’s Degree from the University of Iowa and a Ph.D. from Purdue University. Dr. Stoker began his teaching career as a High School teacher in Dixon, IL moving to Lafayette, IN to pursue his Ph.D. before beginning his career in 1957 as professor of educational measurement at Florida State University for 27 years. Following his tenure at FSU, Dr. Stoker taught courses at the University of Tennessee in Memphis for 4 years after which he moved to Knoxville in 1988. He retired from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 1992.
Dr. Stoker was an active member and volunteer at St. James Episcopal Church and swam with the Masters Swim Club for over 20 years.
He married Annette Wellers Stoker in 1949 and they have four children. In addition to his wife he is survived by his daughter Joanne Andrews (Glenn) of Anniston, AL; daughter, Dianna Weston (Bernie) of Havana, FL; daughter, Patti Collins (Larry) of Lawrenceville, GA; a son, Robert Stoker (Jeanie) of Anderson, SC.; eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Memorial services and inurnment will be held Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014 at 1 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, 1101 N. Broadway St., Knoxville, TN. A reception will follow the services at 2 p.m. in the St. James Parish Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to St. James Episcopal Church in his memory.
Bridges Funeral Home, 5430 Rutledge Pike, Knoxville, TN is assisting the family. To send online condolences visit www.bridgesfuneralhome.com.
