Major (USAF Ret.) Larry Dean Stokes

Major (USAF Ret.) Larry Dean Stokes was born in Fayette County hospital, Vandalia, Illinois, on September 16, 1946. His spiritual birthday was October 16, 1970 at Dyess AFB in Abilene, Texas when he trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for his eternal salvation . His parents, Earl and Pauline (Owen) Stokes resided in Brownstown, Illinois and Larry grew up on the farm where he learned to persevere, to work hard and be fair. Larry graduated from Brownstown Community High School, attended the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana and graduated with a BS in aeronautical and astronautical engineering. After completing pilot training at Reese AFB, Lubbock, Texas, Larry was assigned to C130s at Dyess AFB. His Air Force flying career took him all over the world, including six of the seven continents.

On December 18, 1972 Captain Larry Stokes married Marget Waggoner at Abilene Bible Church, where they first met. In 1974 he received orders to Thailand and then to Clark Air Base in the Philippines where they welcomed their first child, Sara Elizabeth. Next came eighteen months in South Dakota where Larry served as a Missile Security Police officer. In the summer of 1978 he received a call offering him the opportunity to relocate to Space Division in California where he was able to use his double degree as a lead engineer for launch operations at Cape Canaveral. Their son, Jon David, was born at Long Beach Naval Hospital. Orders next sent him to Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio to serve as an aeronautical engineer and work with Gulfstream, E-Systems, Beech Aircraft and Learjet engineers. Colin Andrew, their third child, was born at Wright-Patterson AFB. From there Major Larry Stokes returned to California and Space Division as Chief of the Launch and Integration Division and three years later retired from the Air Force.

In 1989 Larry and Marget and family moved to Mesquite, Texas, and Larry enrolled at Dallas Theological Seminary. Five years later he graduated with high honors with a Masters in Theology. After serving two church-planting internships and a community neighborhood home church, they joined Lake Ridge Bible Church where he became involved in small groups and Missions. He found great joy in one-on-one disciple-making and sharing the Gospel with everyone he met. He invested time in the lives of his children, going on "explores" and unexpected activities, going to as many of their band and choir concerts as he could. He stayed active physically and played racquetball for thirty years. His competitive drive on the courts and insistence on fair play earned him both respect and friendships.

Larry was a man of integrity and purpose; he always kept his word. Since the moment he trusted Christ, he had a heart for Missions and those workers around the world who carried the Good News of Jesus to those who hadn't heard. For a number of years, Larry and Marget joyfully served on the LRBC Missions Committee, setting up missions conferences and dinners, and creating avenues for the church to better know the ones representing the Lord and LRBC overseas. They hosted many global workers in their home, invited them to stay in their guest room and invested in their ministries. He was a Missions Elder for four years, which he considered a great honor and responsibility. He wanted to welcome visitors to the church; many times he and Marget would take newcomers out to lunch or to their home and take the opportunity to get to know them better. He was also the director of small group ministries, encouraging home team leaders and helping the groups grow. He felt home teams were essential to the growth of the church. He started with three home teams which had become fifteen by the time he stepped down.

Larry could work with anyone, anytime, anywhere. He always enjoyed having lunches with guys and talking man-to-man. Those who had questions could talk with him and get answers, or even more, be handed a book he recommended. He gave away many of his books to graduating students, missionaries, friends - and now some of those books can be found in places as far away as Africa, Asia, Brazil and other places across the world.

Larry was a loving father and grandfather; the time he spent with his two granddaughters were some of the greatest joys of his life. He enjoyed wandering around the lake with Katie and Hannah, finding interesting “creatures” in the grass, answering questions about his childhood and growing up on the farm. He especially loved reading to them and using different voices to make the stories come to life. Birthday celebrations with them, either his or theirs, was always fun. He kept their drawings in his files and cherished every visit with them.

He and Marget had almost 54 years of marriage. It wasn't a perfect marriage but because God was the center of their lives, they showed His love to others and to each other. Larry supported Marget in her music education career and came to all her programs; he attended concerts where Sara and Marget sang as members of Pegasus Choral Society. He loved to applaud and cheer for others, especially those in his own family.

Larry is survived by his wife, Marget Waggoner Stokes, daughter Sara Elizabeth Stokes, sons Jon David (Stacey) and Colin Andrew Stokes, granddaughters Kathryn Elizabeth and Hannah Grace Stokes, honorary granddaughter Jenita John (Lubbock), sisters Kathy, Linda (Max) Mattes, Aleta (Brad) Hoff; brothers Joe (Cindy) Stokes and David (Karen) Stokes, and a host of dear friends and those his life has touched. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Pauline Stokes.

Special thanks to his pulmonologist par excellence, Dr. Michelle Chesnut and her team, for their compassionate care during the final stages of his illness; to Bryan Brown for demonstrating true brotherly love in helping care for Larry, Marget and Sara; and for the many people who faithfully prayed for them during the past three months.

We love you.