Stockton installed as new Greencastle postmaster

Amy Stockton holds the Bible as Dale Sparks read the oath of office to Darrell Stockton during his swearing in as Greencastle's new postmaster Friday morning. [Order this photo]

He replaces Jeff Adams, who retired in February.

Raised in Putnam County, Stockton is a graduate of North Putnam High School.

He began his postal career as a city carrier at the Plainfield Post Office in September 2000. He worked in several other towns before coming back to Greencastle as a city carrier.

His supervisor Paul Chaffee joked about Stockton's "straight line path to the Post Office" job.

In August 2005 he went through the supervisor program and assumed that position after completing the program.

Stockton's other supervisor, Dale Sparks, gave Stockton high praise both as a person and member of the postal service.

"Darrell is a honest as the day is long," Sparks said. "He told me when he was working in another town that if a position opened in Greencastle, he was going after it."

On Aug. 29, Stockton was awarded the position of postmaster.

"When this position opened up, I didn't have to go very far to find the person who would succeed as your postmaster," said Sparks.

Stockton was given the position of supervisor at the Greencastle Post Office in January 2007. He was named as officer in charge following Adams' retirement.

Stockton thanked his fellow staff members and supervisors, family members and friends following the ceremony.

"Thanks everyone," he said. "I've done lots of jobs in a lot of different places over the last nine years. Every one of them prepared me for the job being postmaster in this community. I have lived in this community all my life and am thankful for the opportunity that lies before me."

Stockton is married to Amy and has one son, Riley.