James “Jim” Stockton, age 72, of Highland Village, Texas, passed away Monday, October 26, 2015, in Flower Mound, Texas of complications due to multiple myeloma.

He was born September 21, 1943 in Wichita Falls, Texas to John James Stockton and Alpha Armelia Wellington Stockton. Jim married Mary Helzlsouer on May 20, 1972 in Electra. He worked throughout most of his life as an educator, but also was a research chemist for 6 years of his career.

James’ teaching career began in Electra, Texas when he replaced his retiring junior high school math teacher. Soon he moved to Electra High School to teach physics and chemistry and coach the golf team. One of his golfers, Don Sammons, won state in the class 2-A division. Eventually, he taught chemistry and physics at Berkner High School in Richardson and coached golf. Here, too, he had a team that went to state in the 5-A division. Then he repeated these assignments at The Colony High School in The Colony. His last teaching position was at Hebron High School in Carrollton, but multiple myeloma prevented him from coaching golf.

He worked for Dow Chemical as a research chemist for six years after his years at Berkner High School. While at Dow he worked on improving plastics, including plastic wraps. Although he enjoyed the challenges of research and working with deeply technical and challenging aspects of chemistry, his heart was in education.


Following his years at The Colony High School, he served as Lewisville ISD’s science, math, and health supervisor for grades 5 through 12. There he worked to ensure that the curriculum aligned with state requirements and standards. He also worked with the teachers in developing curriculum documents and staff development so that teachers were current with Texas standards and best teaching practices. But in his last four years of work, he returned to his true love: teaching science at Hebron High School.

James is survived by his wife, Mary; brothers, Don Stockton and wife Tami and Ron Stockton and wife Martha and extended family: Bernadette McKinney, Theresa Hood, Nora Curry, Margaret Rose Maddox, Louise Walker, Barbara Helzlsouer, Claire Nelson and Celine Whisenhunt. He is an uncle to 30 nieces and nephews and 19 grand nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate James’ life will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 7, 2015, at First United Methodist of Lewisville. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Friday, November 6, 2015, at Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home in Lewisville. In lieu of flowers the family asks for memorial contributions to be made to the American Cancer Society.

For online condolences please visit www.mulkeymason.com.