Thomas Richard (“TR”) Stoker, age 83, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, August 29, 2021. He was a cherished friend and will be deeply missed by many. A U.S. Navy veteran, he was married to Avis Olson (1956-81) and was a loving father to Lorrie Trotter, Richard Stoker (Denise), and Katherine Harrison. He gave his children the gift of a life fully lived. A favorite quote was “Just stand clear and keep your eye on the ball,” W.C. Fields. An entrepreneur, he started and ran several companies. He took one of them public on the New York Stock Exchange when he was 32 years old. Over the years he enjoyed ski jumping, downhill skiing, deer hunting, and helped invent tailgating at Badger football games during a twenty-eight game losing streak. He enjoyed attending horse races and witnessed Secretariat winning the 1973 Kentucky Derby. He loved auto racing and attended the Indy 500 fifty consecutive times! He helped broker his son’s racing team when his son was striving to make the Indy 500. Further, he attended the midget races at Angell Park speedway for nearly 80 years. For the last twenty-nine years he competed in a golf tournament called “The AASSters” with his son and two friends, donning the “Green Jacket” seven times. Tournaments were mainly held in Wisconsin though the group adventured twice to Ireland to play. Thank you John and Jim! Starting at 75 years young, he competed in the NBC Golf Channel Amtour. He had the time of his life and met dozens of new friends while competing at top courses throughout the nation. He was brother to Patricia Semrad (Fran) and Bill Stoker, grandfather to Nichole Miller and Jesika Miller, step-grandfather to Johnelle Jones, great-grandfather to Luke Hanson and Gavin Hanson, and had several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents Villmonte (“Bill”) and Pauline Stoker, sister Carlene Steele, brother-in-law Bud Steele, sister-in-law Marion Stoker, and son-in-law J.C. Trotter. A private service will be held, with plans for a future gathering (“The Legend”) for family/friends once COVID has lessened. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To send a message or share a memory, please visit: newcomerfh.com

Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral & Cremation
Sun Prairie, WI 608-837-5400
newcomerfh.com