CSU Remembers Trustee and Alumnus Shawn Stockdale

Published September 28, 2017

Clarks Summit University extends deep condolences to the family of Shawn Stockdale. A member of the Board of Trustees and a CSU alumnus, Stockdale passed away Wednesday, September 27, 2017.

A visitation with the family will be held on Sunday, October 1, 2017, from 1–4 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 4 p.m. in CSU’s Recreation Center. Cards and notes for the Stockdale family can be sent to: Mrs. Kay Stockdale, 214 Front Street, Clarks Summit, PA  18411.

Mr. Shawn Stockdale

Stockdale graduated from Clarks Summit University in 1984 with his Associate of Arts and Bachelors in Religious Education and dedicated his life to serving the local church. For nearly four decades, he faithfully served in roles including deacon, youth director and Sunday school teacher. In 2015, Stockdale became a member of the CSU Board of Trustees.

“Shawn Stockdale was the EF Hutton of the CSU board of trustees. When he spoke, he was heard,” says Donald A. Shirk, chairman of the board. “When he spoke, it was not only with substance but with action. Shawn possessed the rare gift of motivating by authentic example. There is a large lump in my throat for the loss of his godly friendship and generous life of commitment that went far beyond his role as a CSU trustee.”

Since 1999, Stockdale owned AAA Tax Practices, LLC, in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. He also was a registered representative of SagePoint Financial, Inc. since 1987. When asked why he, as an investment advisor, chose to attend Bible college, he would say, without hesitation, “Wouldn’t you want someone with ethics handling your finances?” Stockdale, though soft-spoken, was also fun-loving and witty.

Most of Stockdale’s service to Christ involved helping people be wise stewards of their money. When clients visited his office, their eye would catch an Evangecube on his desk. If they asked about it, he always took that opportunity to walk them through a gospel presentation to help them realize what Christ had done for them.

A Kindhearted Servant

Shawn Stockdale knew the Lord as his personal savior since the age of 6 and lived a life marked by that relationship. He leaves behind a wife of 33 years, Kay (Stevens, ’85), and five children: Bethany (Stockdale) Kirby (’09), Brynna (Stockdale) Hoban (’11), Micah (’13), Caleb and Talia.

Mark Meyers (’85) remembers his dear friend with whom he instantly connected with during their days on the Summit through their mutual respect for a good laugh and similar city upbringing. He remembers a particularly rough situation during his time at CSU when he discovered that his parents were getting a divorce. Meyers worked diligently to hide his pain from others, but Stockdale read between the lines of his friend’s pain and sought to be there for him. In response to his concern, “I broke down and cried for awhile, and all he did was hold me and pat me on the back. He said, ‘go ahead, just let it go.’ At this point, he still didn’t know why I was crying. He sat down and listened to my story—a story of hurt and pain that many never knew because they never cared to ask. I’ll always love him for that and so much more. I thank the Lord for giving me such a friend.”

Soft-spoken, kindhearted, loving, witty. These are just a few ways of describing and remembering this man who impacted so many through his life and ministry. Dr. Jim Lytle, says, “Shawn Stockdale understood that ministry meant helping others to know Jesus Christ and grow in Him. He was a quiet guy, but when he spoke, other board members listened. When he gave, they followed his lead. He modeled humility, generosity and wisdom for us.”