John Stanley Schock

John Stanley Schock, age 86, of Harbor, Oregon passed away February 25, 2022, at Sutter Coast Hospital in Crescent City, California.

John was born July 21,1935 in the Bronx, New York and moved to Tacoma, Washington at the age of five. He was proud to have attended Bellarmine Preparatory School where he excelled in the drill team. He attended Central Washington University and earned his degree in 1957 in geology which led to his love of colored stones and his becoming a gemologist. Also, at college he met his future wife, Areta, at the dining hall and they were married on January 25,1958 at St Andrew’s Catholic Church. They just celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. A lover of lifetime learning, he got his teaching degree at Southern Oregon University in 1969, his Masters on Guam and graduated from the prestigious Gemological Institute of America in 1978. He had a love for teaching language arts and social sciences and that itch was scratched on Guam, Taiwan and Singapore, where he taught for seven years as well as being a world traveler. He also worked as a Gemologist and Jewelry Appraiser in Southern Oregon and Northern California. He retired in 1996 from Crescent Jewelry and Gifts, a store he owned with his wife in Crescent City, California.

His eyes sparkled the most when he talked about the service clubs and community outreach that he had been involved in. He was a member for 55 years with Lions Clubs International, beginning in Medford Oregon, Guam, Ashland Oregon and finally Brookings-Harbor. He started two clubs and was the 36-E District Governor for southern Oregon. While exceeding at mentoring others and holding Leadership positions, he still found his greatest joy in being the club tail twister. He received the Melvin Jones and Norman Ross Fellowship awards for his outstanding service. John was also a 29-year member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, being initiated in 1992. He held all the officer positions, as well as being a Past Exalted Ruler, a ritual coach, and a ritual judge. His recitation of the Elks ritual will be remembered by many as he loved the flow and dignity of the words. He was a 20-year member of the Brookings-Harbor Garden Club.

He is survived by his wife Areta, his son John and wife Linda, and two brothers. He was preceded in death by his parents, Julius and Frances.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:30 am, Saturday, March 12, 2022, at the Brookings Presbyterian Church at 540 Pacific Ave. in Brookings, Oregon followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall. Donations will be accepted at the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation at 1010 NW 22nd Ave #144, Portland Oregon 97210