Jeffrey Stokes Piland

Jeffrey Stokes Piland, 60, passed away on February 23, 2026, at his home in San Diego, California. He was born on June 11, 1965, in Montgomery, Alabama, to Janie Lou Stokes and William (Bill) Ulysses Piland. As the son of an Army officer, Jeff lived the life of an Army brat, moving every few years when his father’s duty orders changed. When Bill was assigned to Ft. Bliss, Texas (which is headquartered in El Paso, Texas), Jeff attended MacArthur Elementary School and Burges High School. At Burges, Jeff was active on both the football and baseball teams. But baseball became his true passion, and he received many trophies as a star player for Burges.

After graduating from Burges in 1983, Jeff left Texas to attend Cerritos College in Norwalk, California. At Cerritos, Jeff pitched for the Cerritos Falcons baseball team and helped the team win the State Championship. Jeff was then drafted by the Houston Astros in the 12th round of the 1985 MLB Draft. But Jeff elected to continue his college education and, unfortunately, suffered a shoulder injury that ended his future baseball prospects. He earned an Associate Degree from Cerritos in 1986 and then transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to continue his college studies.

Jeff worked various jobs to support himself in Los Angeles, including a stint as a valet at the Cheesecake Factory and as a bartender at a popular restaurant/pub called Moose McGillycuddy’s. After a trip to visit a friend in San Diego, California, Jeff was captivated with the vibrancy and beauty of the city and decided to make a move. When he arrived, he was hired as an Assistant General Manager at another popular restaurant, called Canes. Later, Jeff made a career move by taking a job at Freeman Company, a global leader in event planning and management (including conferences/trade shows/exhibits). As a Union Foreman with the Teamsters, assigned principally to Freeman, Jeff oversaw the set-up and management of the trade shows and exhibits.

Jeff is known for his easy-going personality, humorous nature and, above all else, loyalty. People are instantly drawn to him and over the years he has established many deep personal friendships with people who consider him a life-long friend. While Jeff has experienced true love, he ultimately never married.

Jeff was passionate about sports and was always up for talking about anything related to sports. On the professional side, he was a humongous fan of the Cleveland Browns football team and the San Francisco Giants baseball team. On the college side, he loved and supported his UCLA Bruins football team. Every year he went with friends to the Big Game between the cross-town rivals UCLA and USC. Personally, Jeff loved playing golf and went on many golfing excursions with friends.

Jeff loved music— especially heavy metal and rock and roll. His favorite bands were AC/DC and Metallica.

For someone so fun-loving and full of life and friendships, Jeff also experienced much loss. He lost his brother, Billy, who he looked up to and loved dearly to a congenital heart defect. He lost his parents. He lost the woman he was planning to marry to liver disease. He also lost two former roommates to COVID. And now we have lost Jeff to cancer.

Jeff was a beloved brother to Cassie, Pam, and Billy, a cherished son to Janie and Bill, and a loyal friend to so many. He was a hard worker and brought joy to those around him through his easy-going, positive nature. Jeff will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and coworkers— indeed by all who knew him.

Jeff is survived by his sisters Cassie and Pam. He was also blessed with nephews Evan and David, and niece, Chrissie, who were his pride and joy.

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VIEWING and MEMORIAL SERVICE will take place from 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at FUNERARIA DEL ANGEL CENTRAL, 3839 Montana Avenue, El Paso Texas 79903 – www.FunerariaDelAngelMartin.com – (915) 566-3955

COMMITTAL will take place on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 1:30 PM at EVERGREEN CEMETERY EAST (in the Garden of Tranquility), 12400 Montana Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79938 - (915) 855-4007