Mr. Joseph Earl Stokes' Obituary
Joseph Earl Stokes lived a life marked by love, service, and faith. Born on February 25, 1945, in Houston, Texas, to Jack and Nora Stokes, he embodied the spirit of a true Texan and Californian. His journey took him from the football fields of John Muir High School in Los Angeles, CA, to the battlefields of the Vietnam War, where he served his country with dedication and earned accolades including the Vietnam Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, and Rifle Expert Badge during his four-year tenure as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps.
Love found Joseph in the form of his high school sweetheart, Yvonne D. McCauley, whom he married on September 22, 1968. Together, they shared the joys and challenges of life, welcoming two daughters, Joanna Stokes Walker, and Scherryl Stokes Jackson, into their loving home.
After returning from the war, Joseph's journey led him back to California, where his family grew with the birth of Scherryl. Later, destiny called him back to Houston, where he embarked on a new chapter of life. His professional path led him to the Harris County Health Department, specializing in Mosquito Control as an Avian Field Supervisor, where he shared his joyful personality and dedication to service. During his career as an Avian supervisor his department focused on detecting outbreaks and protecting the citizens of Houston from the West Nile Virus. He received certificates of appreciation from the Texas House of Representatives as well as the City of Houston for his service to the community. After years of hard work, he retired and devoted his time to the things he loved most—family, friends, gardening, and bird watching.
Joseph's unwavering faith in God sustained him through the challenges of life, and he remained resilient in the face of health struggles, always trusting in a higher power. His legacy lives on through the love and memories cherished by his wife, Yvonne, daughters Joanna and Scherryl, son-in-laws Ernest and Kevin, sister Jacqueline, grandchildren Taylor, Julian, and Gabrielle, his Uncle Earl Livingston, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Joseph Earl Stokes departed this earthly life on November 11, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of love, service, and faith. He is reunited in eternal rest with his parents, Jack and Nora Stokes, and three brothers, Jack “Pinto” Stokes, Charles Stokes, and Whitney Stokes. As we mourn his physical absence, let us celebrate a life well-lived and honor the memory of a man who touched the hearts of many.
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