Just weeks after his 40th birthday, David Stockton passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at home on May 20, 2025.
Originally from Manchester, England, Dave was the second of three sons, born to Mark and Christine Stockton. He was an accomplished graduate from York St. John University’s theatre, film, and television program. Whether behind a camera or performing on stage, Dave was always drawn to creative opportunities. He also enjoyed playing rugby and working in York and Manchester, through which he established friendships that last through this day. Dave immigrated to the United States in 2008 to complete his master’s degree in education in Bowling Green, Ohio, where he met his wife Kelsey and decided to build a future together on the west side of the Atlantic.
As their BGSU friends moved about the country following graduation, Dave and Kelsey relocated to Milwaukee, WI, in 2010, and were married there in 2011. Dave spent most of his 16-year higher education career at Marquette University, where he worked in the Division of Student Affairs and cultivated a network of lifelong friends and mentors. As a dual-higher education career couple, Dave and Kelsey loved that their paths intertwined so often as they worked together at Bowling Green State University, Marquette University, UW-Milwaukee, and again at Marquette. They weren’t very good at separating work and home, but that’s okay because they loved it and the people it brought into their lives.
He adored the city of Milwaukee and continued his creative pursuits through storytelling lessons, volunteering with local theater, learning and performing stand-up comedy, and advancing his photography skills by capturing iconic spaces. His family is grateful for the amount of digital content he created, both in front of and behind the camera. For the last two years of his life, Dave took the leap of making his creative work a full-time career by launching his own business, BrightPath Design LLC. His clients and projects gave him great joy, and he was looking forward to growing and expanding his services in the time ahead.
Dave was not shy about his likes and dislikes. He hated peanut butter, pickles, casseroles, and bad TV movies, and he loved a good steak, video games, bobbleheads, and Tom Cruise films. He cheered for the Brewers and booed the Cubs. A true middle child, he had a competitive streak, while also proving himself to be independent, collaborative, and adaptable. A highlight of the past two years was reconnecting with his childhood love for WWE and wrapping the whole family into the dramatic storylines. He enjoyed traveling, with fond memories of childhood vacations in Europe and married life travels to Las Vegas and Florida. His involvement with professional associations allowed him to visit a variety of destinations, and he was able to explore the US coast-to-coast. When in doubt, take the trip. Always take the trip.
While he enjoyed all these titles–student, rugby player, graduate, administrator, creator, traveler–his favorites were dad, husband, son, brother, uncle, and friend. Dave’s greatest priority in life was being the best dad to Sloane, and he smashed it out of the park. Whether cheering at sports events, building her a computer and showing her how to use it, teaching her about Manchester United, or doing silly dances in public, she was the light of his life. Together, Dave, Sloane, and Kelsey considered themselves “Team Stockton,” and the team is devastated to have lost its captain.
Dave leaves behind his best friend and wife of 14 years, Kelsey, his young daughter, Sloane, and his loyal old dog, Bernie. He will be deeply missed by his mother, Christine, his brothers James (Christina Albert) and Christopher (Yasmin Lozano), nieces Bella and Betsy, and his aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father Mark and his grandparents. He was a son-in-law to Dan and Lori Kowalewski from Grand Rapids, MI, and enjoyed his extended American family.
Visitation will be held on Monday, June 2, 9:30-11am in the Marquette University Alumni Memorial Union, Chapel of the Holy Family (2nd floor), with a memorial service beginning at 11am. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to Sloane’s future education needs.
Dave became a naturalized citizen of the US just 12 days before he passed. The first thing he did was register to vote, and he was so looking forward to next November. In honor of Dave’s memory, please be sure you’re registered to vote and show up to the polls.
