Stockton, Mecklyn
STOCKTON, Mecklyn Oregon
STOCKTON, Mecklyn Oregon, 85, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2021, in Franklin, TN.
Born in Richmond, VA in 1936 to Violette W. and Henry O. Stockton, Meck spent the majority of his life in Atlanta, GA, graduating from Decatur High School in 1954 and Emory University in 1958. As the social chairman of the Chi Phi fraternity at Emory, he developed his entrepreneurial spirit by booking bands for college parties and enjoyed researching talent at the Royal Peacock on Auburn Avenue with high school sweetheart Beth Turk by his side. He proudly graduated with enough money to buy a Plymouth and a diamond engagement ring for Beth.
Meck's career in retail management began in 1958 with the JC Penney Company in Knoxville, TN. His career took him and his growing family to Florida, New York, North Carolina and a return to Georgia in 1975. Meck owned and operated several retail businesses in the Atlanta area and in 1986 launched a chain of women's shoe stores with wife Beth and daughter Elizabeth.
Meck and Beth traveled extensively and enjoyed exploring exotic destinations in Europe, Africa and the Orient, fulfilling a lifelong desire to see the world. Especially memorable were the trips planned and organized by Emory friends and scholars. Meck also cherished annual ski trips with his children, white water rafting trips in Colorado, horseback riding in Ireland and weekend getaways to New York City, where he soaked up all the Big Apple had to offer.
Meck thoroughly enjoyed being around others. He appreciated the friendships he made at Mariner's investment club. He was fond of the friends with whom he played golf at Cherokee Town & Country Club as well as the "Chiefs" with whom he often had lunch. As a history buff, he could often be found at the History Center, Buckhead 50, Civil War and World War II Roundtables. He was an active and enthusiastic member of Northwest Presbyterian Church, which he and his wife faithfully attended for more than 40 years.
Meck was a character who never met a stranger; warmly greeting people with "Hey brother, how 'ya doin?" He was quick witted with unexpected and delightful observations. Surrounded by loving family and friends, he was a pleasure to be around.
Predeceased by his parents and wife, Meck is survived by his four children, Debby Stockton, Caroline Stockton Butler (Bo), Elizabeth Stockton Paschall (Rich), and Mecklyn Oregon Stockton, Jr. (Dena); grandchildren, Ben H Butler (Bridgett), Sarah S Butler, Nicholas B Paschall, M Oregon "Orie" Stockton III and Annabelle R Stockton, sisters-in-law Naomi Turk and Mary Helen Stockton, many beloved nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.
A memorial service will be held, at a future date, at Northwest Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Northwest Presbyterian Church.
