Joseph Wendell Stokes, 85, of Roy, passed away Wednesday, April 18, 2018. The youngest of six children, he was born on April 15, 1933, to Wilford and Ella Nora Wixom Stokes and raised on the family farm in Franklin, Idaho, He rode his horse Old Coalie or his bike into Franklin to elementary school. He graduated from Preston High School in 1951 where he played baseball, was in the band and FFA.
He also attended Weber State College. He joined the United States Air Force in 1953 and was sent to Japan, landing there on Christmas Eve. He spent over 40 years in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve out of Hill and Travis Air Force bases, serving from the Korean War through Desert Storm.
He served as a Flight Engineer on C-141’s retiring with the rank of Chief Master Sargent. He also flew on the C-46, C-119, C-124, and the XC-99, and owned his own Beechcraft Bonanza for many years. His military service took him to every continent of the world, including Antarctica.
He retired from HAFB with 38 years of Civil Service. He married Carol Marie Cook Stokes on July 7, 1961, in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Idaho Falls Temple. Joe magnified his church callings as he served 17 years as finance clerk of his LDS ward under six bishops and as counselor in two bishoprics.
His hobbies included restoring classic cars (Fords only! ), gardening and flying. He had a commercial pilot license with instrument rating and an FAA flight engineer license.
He always had a keen desire to learn, improve and serve others. His greatest joys were time spent with his family, celebrating their accomplishments and attending their events. He is survived by his wife, Carol, two daughters and two sons, Wendy (Briggs) Horman, Ammon, Idaho, Jeff (Cari) Stokes, Mtn.
Green, Utah; Stacie (Pete) Bowden, St. George, Utah; Paul (Annie) Stokes, Wellsville, Utah; Grandchildren Brittney (Chris), Steve (Hannah), Sam, Spencer, Julia, Karlee, Garet, Ty, Halie, Aiden, Ella, Jaxon, and two great-grandchildren Jack and Zoe, sister Phyllis Clark, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Lyman, Merl, Bill, and Paul. The family would like to thank the healthcare teams at McKay-Dee and Promise Hospitals for their kind and compassionate care.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, April 28, 2018, at 11 am at the Sand Ridge Ward, 4900 S 2000 W, Roy, Utah with Bishop Mike Litster officiating. A viewing will be held Friday, April 27 from 6-8 pm and Saturday, April 28 from 9:30-10:30 am, both at the Sand Ridge Ward building. Funeral arrangements under the direction of Myers Mortuary of Roy, Utah.
Interment will be at the Mountain Green Cemetery, 5055 W Old Highway Road, Mountain Green, Utah. Send condolences to the family at www. myers-mortuary.com.
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