James Harlan Stockson

July 17, 1946  -  April 8, 2025

December 23, 1942 - May 22, 2025

James Harlan Stockton, age 82, of Winchester, Tennessee, passed away on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Bailey Manor in Winchester, Tennessee. He was born in McDowell County, North Carolina, on December 23, 1942, to Ruben and Edna Stockton. He was a 1961 graduate of Bowman High School in Mitchell County and was a graduate of Wilson College in 1963. He then joined the U.S. Army and served in the Vietnam War. Upon returning, he attended East Tennessee State University and graduated in 1973. He taught school at Buladean Elementary School for one year, then moved to Tennessee to work at Motlow Community College, where he later retired. Harlan had a love of plants and gardening. He was a member of the Middle Tennessee Hosta Society and the Hosta Society of North Alabama, as well as the American Hosta Society. He grew hostas for over 30 years. He was also a member of the Franklin County Farmers Market, where he met and made many friends throughout his membership in all of the organizations. He was also a member of Oaklawn Baptist Church in Winchester, Tennessee. He was loved and will be dearly missed. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his loving wife of 26 years, Karen Elaine Dotson Stockton; sister, Charlotte Ledford. He is survived by his daughter, Amanda (James) Serna of Phoenix, Arizona; grandchildren, Jackson Smith of New York, Bella Serna of Arizona, and Adisson Serna of Arizona; siblings, Don (Kathy) Stockton of Idaho and Lawrence (Trish) Stockton of North Carolina; sister-in-law, Brenda (Steve) Cunningham of Winchester, Tennessee. A Memorial Gathering will be held on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at Watson Funeral Home from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM. A private family inurnment will be held at Maplewood Cemetery. Watson Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 405 Sharp Springs Road, Winchester, Tennessee, 37398, 931-967-2345, www.watsonfhtn.com

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