Kevin Stokes

Kevin was born in Dallas,Texas on September 17, 1962 at Methodist Hospital and grew up in Oak Cliff. Kevin was the second child of Wayne and Judy (Boyd) Stokes and was part of a big family, including his two brothers and two sisters. His family was always surrounded by lots of friends, neighborhood kids and excitement and Kevin was right in the middle of all of it. He graduated from Justin F. Kimball High School in 1981. During his youth, he was an athlete and loved sports. He was competitive and boisterous. After high school, he received his cosmetology certification from Ogle School of Hair Design. He cut hair for a handful of years and then traded in his scissors for a sales job, business suit and briefcase.

He moved to Washington D.C. in the early 90's to work for NightRider Overnight Copy Service and was an account manager, selling reprographic services to law firms. In only his second week of being new to town, he met Lanay, who would eventually become his wife. Kevin made lots of friends in D.C., hosted parties and cookouts, and spent many weekends at Dewey Beach, Delaware. He loved going to the horse races, enjoyed many a happy hour in downtown D.C., and still cheered for his Dallas Cowboys. He was known to often play at least a prank or two on his buddies around town and at the office. It was in Washington D.C. that Kevin got his "dog children," Elvis and Roxy. He loved those Japanese Akitas so much and treated them just like kids. He always had a heart for animals.

After a few years in D.C., Texas was calling Kevin and Lanay back home. They were a little homesick for family, friends and Texas hospitality. They married on October 26,1996 and bought an old Tudor-style, 1,200 s.f. home in the M Street area of Dallas. Kevin loved remodeling the house and making it beautiful and comfortable for his new baby girl, Rachel, who was born in 1999. When Parker came along in 2000, they moved to Richardson to a bigger home to accommodate their growing family. Kevin decided to ditch the suit and tie an pick up a hammer and skill saw. He was a craftsman at heart and had quite a knack for building and fixing things. He went to work for several homebuilders and was in the construction business for many years. In 2005, Holden was born which completed their family of five. Kevin was a loving, fun, entertaining creative, caring dad. He made up silly songs, stories, and always had some creative, possibly somewhat inappropriate dance moves, for his three kiddos. His children were the treasures of his heart. He loved spending time cooking in the kitchen or grilling out, fixing things around the house, planting a flower garden or putting in a new stone patio. He liked to tinker in the garage and play darts. He also enjoyed his Sunday afternoons running the football pool and watching all kinds of sports.

Kevin‘s life journey took him down many different roads and he had many life experiences, some good and some not-so-good. But along life’s path, he never met a stranger, he truly could strike up a conversation with anyone, he always had a joke to tell, he could make anyone laugh and he was extra good at laughing at himself. He was generous, thoughtful, fun-loving, helpful and persevering.

On May 20, 2019, the day he passed, Kevin was working his shift at Wilson N. Jones Medical Center in Sherman, Texas. He had become a hospital favorite, making many new friends, working hard, flashing his million dollar smile, spreading cheer and positivity as well as taking steps to turn his life in the right direction. He was attending Bible studies through Four Rivers Outreach Center and coming alongside others to extend a helping hand.

Kevin was known, adored and loved by lots of people on his earthly journey. He had a positive impact on many and surely will not be forgotten. Kevin is survived by his wife Lanay (Fournier), and his children, Rachel, Parker, and Holden, his mother and father, Wayne and Judy (Boyd) Stokes, his brother Brook and his sisters Holli and Amy and their husbands Johnny and Guy, his grandmother, Sybil Stokes, who is a remarkable 106 years old, his Uncle Kenneth and his Uncle Mickey Don, his Aunt Monica, his Uncle Dickie and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A private burial service will take place at Laurel Land Funeral Home Friday, May 24. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at Oak Cliff Presbyterian Church at 2 PM Saturday, May 25. In lieu of flowers, and for those who feel led, a donation in memory of Kevin can be made to Four Rivers Outreach Center, the Dallas SPCA, or Oak Cliff Presbyterian Church.

We know this is not a goodbye, this is a thank you. Thank you, Kevin, for coming into our lives and giving us joy, thank you for loving us well and receiving our love in return. Thank you for memories we will cherish forever.