Gene Stockton

He was born in Columbus, Georgia to parents, William and Floy Stockton, he was one of three children, William "Billy" Stockton, and a sister, Joyce Merrell, all of whom having previously departed this life.
He was a widower, with his wife of 32 years, Mary Jean Freeman Stockton, having departed this life on August 19, 2022. He is survived by his five children: Kenny Stockton and wife, Karla, Karen Stockton, Walter Stockton, Sharon Gordon and Becky Rossi and three stepchildren, Sharon Hale, Pete Freeman and Melissa Freeman. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Will Stockton, Jake Stockton and wife, Maria and Kelly Horton and husband, Chase, as well as five other grandchildren. He has also been blessed with five great granddaughters, Mattie Jane Horton; Lonnie, Kit, Amelia and Parker Stockton, and one great grandson, Rawson Stockton.
He graduated from Central High School in Phoenix City, Alabama. He was a veteran of the Korean War. He was employed by the Illinois Central Railroad and his railroad career spanned forty plus years. He retired from the ICRR in December of 1989, where he was Superintendent of Transportation. After his retirement, he and his wife, Mary Jean, moved to Covington, Tennessee where he became active in the community serving the City of Covington on its planning and zoning boards in various capacities from 2000 to 2008. He was a member of the Covington First United Methodist Church where he especially enjoyed his Sunday School class.
He and his wife enjoyed their pet dogs, all of whom were adopted through various rescue organizations. The most recent dog, Bailey, was very special to them both.
He also enjoyed working on and riding around Covington in his vintage cars and especially enjoyed his 1930 Ford Model A, of which he enjoyed blowing the horn at those he passed by. The rumble seat rides were considered very special by his grandchildren. He was a Mason for fifty years and was a member of the Dunham Lodge #150 Free & Accepted Masons in Covington, Tennessee.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the Covington Animal Rescue Effort (C.A.R.E.) or the Covington First United Methodist Church.