
Albert Augustus Stoddard Jr., 93, of Yulee, Fla., died November 6, 2019 at Community Hospice & Palliative Care’s Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, Fla.
Al was born September 20, 1926 in Jacksonville Beach, Fla. to Albert A. Stoddard Sr. and Ruth Mier Stoddard. He grew up in Neptune Beach and Palm Valley (Ponte Vedra Beach), graduating from Duncan U. Fletcher High School in Jax Beach in 1944. After high school and during the ending years of World War II, Al was a cadet-midshipman at the Merchant Marine Academy and was deployed as an assistant engineer in tanker convoys crossing the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Red Sea. He returned from sea to Jax Beach in 1947, working as a draftsman and marrying his high school sweetheart, Phyllis McGahan of Ponte Vedra, in 1948. During the Korean War, Al was called back to service as an active-duty lieutenant in the Navy based in Norfolk, Va. In 1954, he returned again to Florida and attended Jacksonville University and the University of Florida, where he graduated with a degree in engineering in 1957. He remained in the Naval Reserve until 1971. From 1957 to 1986, Al worked in defense contracting for Western Electric, Bell Labs, and Lucent Technologies in the Triad Region of North Carolina. In 1985, he moved to Yulee, working as a supervising HVAC engineer in base operations at Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base near St. Marys, Ga. until 2000.
As a hobby, Al restored, rebuilt, and drove countless cars – from Model-A Fords to Mercedes. He was a generous and industrious man who would often fix his neighbors’ cars and boats for only the cost of the parts. From his Palm Valley youth, he loved fishing and hunting. He knew all the waters throughout the St. Marys River tidal estuary. Over the years, he assisted his wife happily in her many professional pursuits and personal projects.
Al leaves behind his loving wife of 72 years, Phyllis, and his son, Bert, also of Yulee. He was an active member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Fernandina Beach.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, November 18, 2019 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Fernandina Beach and will be followed immediately by interment of his ashes in the parish’s memorial garden and a reception in the parish hall.
As a memorial, please consider a donation to Community Hospice & Palliative Care at 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257 or CommunityHospice.com.
Please share your memories and condolences www.oxleyheard.com.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors