Background
Stockton,, Ralph Madison was born on June 22, 1927 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States. Son of Ralph Madison and Margaret (Thompson) Stockton.
Stockton,, Ralph Madison was born on June 22, 1927 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States. Son of Ralph Madison and Margaret (Thompson) Stockton.
Bachelor of Science, University North Carolina, 1948. Bachelor of Laws cum laude, University North Carolina, 1950. Honorary Doctor of Laws, Winston-Salem University, 1983.
Associate firm Dwight, Royal, Harris Koeger & Caskey, Washington, 1950-1951. With Petree Stockton, Winston-Salem, Charlotte, North Carolina and Raleigh, North Carolina, 1951—2005, partner, 1956—2005, chairman executive committee, 1980—2005. Permanent member judicial conference United States Court Appeals (4th circuit), 1958-2005.
The state should not use its authority to promote any particular religious belief. It should allow people practice their own religious convictions.
In a society where self-interest, acquisitiveness and individual happiness are often seen as the over-riding interests, the Church, and Christians within it, are called to witness meanings, values and purposes beyond ourselves.
Trustee Winston-Salem State University, 1958-1984, vice chairman, 1973-1984. Trustee Forsyth County Legal Aid Society, 1966-1970, president, 1969. Trustee Methodist Children's Home, 1966-1984, chairman executive committee, 1969-1975, president board trustees, 1975-1984.
Board managers Methodist Home, Charlotte, North Carolina, 1967-1970. Board directors Winston-Salem Foundation, 1979-1986, chairman board, 1985-1986. Member Leadership Winston-Salem, 1984-1985, alumni council, 1987-1988.
Co-chairman North Carolina Legislation Committee on Evidence and Comparative Negligence, 1980-1982. Member Governor's Judicial Nominating Committee, 1982-1985. Chairman administrative board local United Methodist Church, 1984-1986.
Member American Bar Association (House of Delegates 1986-1991, standing committee federal judiciary 1989-1992), North Carolina Bar Association (board governors 1957-1960, chairman commercial banking and business law committee 1958-1960, chairman appellate rules study committee 1973-1975, president 1976-1977, named to Hall of Fame 1993), Forsyth County Bar Association (president 1965-1966), American College Trial Lawyers (state chairman 1984-1986), regent 1987-1991), National Conference Bar Presidents, Fellows of America Bar Foundation, Supreme Court History Society (state chairman 1989-1991, circuit representative national membership 1991-1993), Law Alumni Association University North Carolina (president 1964, director general 1970-1973, Distinguished Alumni award 1994), Order of Coif, Phi Delta Phi. Lodges: Rotary (president Winston-Salem 1965-1966).
Married Frances Bowles, July 15, 1950 (deceased April 27, 1994). Children: Mary Ellen Sartin, Ralph Madison III, David Anderson, James Alexander. Married Margaret Norfleet, March 3, 1995.