John W. Stokes Jr.

John William Stokes, Jr., beloved husband, brother, father and grandfather passed away suddenly on February 24, 2013.  A memorial service will be held on March 9th at 3:00pm at H.M. Patterson’s Oglethorpe Chapel with visitation from 1:00 to 3:00pm.   He was born in NYC on January 31, 1925 to Elizabeth Stapleton Stokes and John W. Stokes, Sr.  He attended high schools in White Plains, NY and Stuart, Florida and after graduating from the University of Florida and Emory University chose Atlanta to begin his long career as an attorney.  After several years as a sole practitioner he began a career in federal government.  He served as an assistant US Attorney and US Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, US Marshal for the Middle District of Georgia and  Assistant District Attorney and Assistant Solicitor in Fulton County.  At the time of his death he was continuing his practice in Lawrenceville, Georgia. John’s great passion, other than his family, Republican Politics, traveling and Gator Football, was flying.  He was a US Navy pilot during WWII, and flew off carriers in the Pacific.  He retired from active duty but continued in the Naval Reserves and retired as a Lt. Commander.  His love of flying continued all of his life and included ownership of several small planes used for personal and business. Although not active for the last few years, John was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church.  He always enjoyed attending Travelers Rest Free Will Baptist Church in Baker County when he and his wife were at the family farm.  For several years in the 60’s he lived in Dalton, Georgia and became active in Republican Politics serving as County Chairman and delegate to the National Republican Convention.  He participated in the Elks Club 11 o’clock Ritual in Dalton which won many National Awards, including one in NYC.  After a few years, John and his family returned to Atlanta where he continued his legal career and his interest in politics, including an unsuccessful run for the US Senate against Sam Nunn...  John loved running in the Peachtree Road Race every year until he was in his early 80’s.  and was proud to tell everyone he also ran in the US Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC and the San Diego Rock & Roll Marathon in his mid 70’s!  And he was proud of his many awards for running in local 5k races, including one for the oldest runner!  He recently stopped running but continued walking and exercising until his death.  John had a lot of varied interests in a long and happy lifetime, sailing on his boat at Lake Lanier, racing small sports cars in his younger days, historical reading, listening to good music and attending Falcon, Tech, and Gator Football games!  He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his devoted wife of 31 years Ullainee Musgrove Stokes, his three children, John Paul Stokes (Rebecca) Seattle, Richard Stokes (Cassie) Ballground, GA  and Holly Brask (Dean),  Seattle, brother Deane Stokes (Beverly), Atlanta,  sister-in-law, Mary Alice Singleton, Warner Robins, five grandchildren, two great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and many wonderful friends..