James R Stockton

September 30, 1932 — May 6, 2021

Jim Stockton, Graphic Designer, Art Director, Artist and Illustrator, passed away peacefully at home in San Francisco at the age of 88. The son of commercial artist Don Stockton, and Mary Stockton, Jim was born and raised in San Francisco, attending high school at the Friends Academy in New York, followed by college at Stanford University (BA Art,1954). At Stanford he was art director of the Chaparral, a member of the Hammer & Coffin Society, the SAE fraternity and coxswain on Crew when his team was the first to beat Cal in 19 years. His connection to Stanford was lifelong. He started and chaired the Stanford Conference on Design, was a core faculty member of the Stanford Publishing course and also a member of the Stanford Buck/Cardinal Club and the Founding Grant Society.

Jim’s connection to graphic design was integral part of his life, even when in the Navy post-college, where he served as cartoonist, illustrator and designer for the Stars and Stripes, stationed in Tokyo. As principal designer of James Stockton Associates, he specialized in book design, his many clients including Houghton Mifflin, Harper & Row, The New York Graphic Society, Ortho Books, Chronicle Books, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Stanford University Alumni Association. Professionally he also served on the Board of Directors of the American Institute of Graphic Arts.

Jim loved all the arts and was a devoted San Francisco Symphony patron and early member of the Symphony Pierre Monteux Society.

During his career, Jim traveled extensively worldwide, exploring new cultures, food and wine. In 1965, he became a proud owner of the one of the last classic 356 Porsche coupes, in Stuttgart, Germany, after which he toured Europe for several months before shipping it home. It played a significant role in his life as he enjoyed driving it for almost 50 years, especially up Highway 1 on California’s North Coast. On one of his early road trips he discovered the new community of The Sea Ranch, ultimately settling on a spectacular ocean front property, in Anchor Bay, north of the neighboring town of Gualala. He began building a home in 1972, which grew over the years into a magical property; a true reflection of both he and his wife Karen’s great sense of style. Both consummate hosts, it has been a setting for legendary parties and weekend retreats, cementing lifelong friendships and cherished memories, replete with barking seals off the shoreline, great food and wine; and until his death, was Jim’s favorite place to be.

Jim’s buoyant personality, his kindness, wit and generosity endeared him to a legion of close friends. A man of vast interests, he was the initiator, the magnet that brought them all together. Jim was not just the life of the party, he was the party, everyone’s cherished friend.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Tucker, partner in life and professionally for 43 years.