David O. Stocking, 87, of Hackett, Arkansas, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Wednesday, January 13, 2021, in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born June 26, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois. When David was 2 years old, his mother Rose married a kind hardworking widower named Halbert Stocking. This union not only brought David a role model, but a brother Bill, and two sisters, Beverly and Charlene. This marriage would last over 50 years.

David enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after graduating high school in 1951. He served for four years until his honorable discharge. While serving, David was issued the Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, United Nation Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

In 1959, David received his four years Bachelor of Science in Business Degree from the University of Colorado. During this time, he married Barbara Smith in 1958, raising three children together, Cindy, Gail, and son, Mark. David took a job after college with the Martin Marietta Aerospace Corporation in Colorado. The family moved to California in 1966 when David was offered a job with the TRW Aerospace Corporation in Long Beach, California. After five years, David was layed off due to the economic downturn in the 1970's. Vowing never to work for anyone else again (he didn't), David and Barbara opened and ran a successful family orientated steak house named "The Sly Bull" in Norco, California. Upon selling the Sly Bull, they opened the "Saddle Sore Saloon and Eatery" also in Norco. After 18 years of marriage, David and Barbara divorced in 1978, but still remained friends until David's passing. David continued to run the Saddle Sore until he sold it in 1980. Looking for another business, David bought a PIP printing franchise at the suggestion of his girlfriend Sharon Davis in 1982 that he opened with his son Mark in El Centro, California.

In 1984, David married Sharon Davis who came to work at the printing business. David and Sharon worked together until they sold the business in 2008 and retired to Hackett, Arkansas. David and Sharon loved one another and had a wonderful marriage together. Throughout it they enjoyed camping, travel, motorcycling, games, and of course family, friends, and church.

After moving to Hackett, David and Sharon became members of Valley View Church of Christ. David loved his church and the friends that he made there. His love for the Lord, family, and friends were without question. David's sense of humor, his gentle spirit, intelligence, grace and humility will be missed by everyone that knew and loved him.

David was a husband, father, step-father, grandpa, great-grandpa, brother, uncle, friend, and most importantly, a child of God.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 4th, at Valley View Church of Christ in Greenwood, with Mr. Adam Hollinsaid officiating.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; two daughters, Cindy Ross and husband Bob of Romoland, California and Gayle Pangle and husband Kevin of Yellville, Arkansas; a son, Mark Stocking and wife Linda of Blythe, California; two step-sons, Robert Davis and wife Barbara of Keota, Oklahoma and Christopher Davis and wife Ana of Riverside California; thirteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Cremation Services in Fort Smith, 914 N. 32nd St. Fort Smith, AR  72903. (479) 434-3901 or (479) 965-8202

To place an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com . You can also visit our Facebook page, Brotherton Brothers Cremation Services in Fort Smith. Thank You