Joseph John Sokol Jr. was an avid runner. Even after starting a family and becoming pharmacy director at Columbia Medical Plan, he found time to compete in races and was a member of the Howard County Striders and Baltimore Road Runners Club.
On Sunday morning, Mr. Sokol, 47, a resident of the Dorsey Hall neighborhood of Columbia, collapsed three-quarters of the way through the Annapolis Ten Mile Run. He was pronounced dead a short time later, apparently of a heart attack.
Phil Miller, administrative director of the Columbia Medical Plan and close friend of Mr. Sokol, described him as caring and outgoing.
"He was one of the most balanced people I've ever met," Miller said. "He knew that his wife and family came first, and he was very patient-oriented at work."
Mr. Sokol attended his three daughters' many sporting events regularly and was an enthusiastic fan of University of Maryland football, basketball and lacrosse teams.
"He was one who showed enthusiasm for many of the little things in life," said his wife, the former Elizabeth "Betsy" Edelen.
Mr. Sokol began running in Millis, Mass., where he was born, and was a member of the track team at Xaverian Brothers High School. In recent years, he had participated in many races and was described as a "middle-of-the-pack" runner by his brother-in-law, Greg Cocco of Towson.
Mr. Sokol was a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy.
He was pharmacy director of the Columbia Medical Plan for 13 years.
Before that, he worked at Mercy Medical Center, University of Maryland Medical Center and the Maryland Shock Trauma Pharmacy. He was one of the founding members of the Shock Trauma Pharmacy.
Mr. Sokol was a member of the Maryland Society of Hospital Pharmacists, the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacists and the American Pharmaceutical Association, and a clinical instructor at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy.
He was an active parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church on Ilchester Road in Ellicott City.
A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10: 30 a.m. Friday at the church.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Elizabeth S. Sokol, Rebecca L. Sokol, and Kerry S. Sokol, all at home; a sister, Gertrude Sokol Glace of Beaufort, S.C.; and several nieces and nephews. He was the son of the late Joseph John Sokol Sr. and Gertrude Clancy Sokol.
Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, 20 N. Pine St., Baltimore 21201-1180.
Pub Date: 8/27/97
