Marvin Raymond Stokes Jr.

Ray was born in Gladewater, Texas on July 13, 1936, to Raymond and Pauline (Wilson) Stokes. He was raised and educated in Gladewater, Texas and Bossier City, Louisiana. Ray attended Bossier High School where he played on the football, basketball and track teams and also played cornet in the Bearkat band. He was also a runner up for Bossier High School Most Handsome in 1954. Upon graduation from Bossier High School in 1954 he went to work for Beaird Industries where he worked as a Heat Transfer Design Engineer for approximately forty-five years. During his tenure in the Naval Reserves one of his assignments was working with the NSA.

Ray enjoyed many interests over the years including hunting, especially black powder hunting in Colorado, fishing, and sailing. He loved his home on Cypress Lake where he had immediate access to his hobbies on the lake.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Pauline (Wilson) Stokes, Sister and Brother-in-law Della (Stokes) and Pick Mahaffey.

He is survived by his son, Raymond Douglas Stokes of Elm Grove, Louisiana, daughters Sandra S. Peña and husband René of Bossier City, Louisiana, and Vicki R. Long and husband Danny of Blanchard, Louisiana. Ray leaves behind seven grandsons: Brian Long (Sarah), Larry Cooper, Stephen Cooper (Melissa), Jeremy Long (Gwen), Jonathan Long (Jayde), Dillon Stokes (Callie), and Matthew Stokes (Hannah). He also leaves a legacy of eight great-grandchildren: Nicholas Long, Hudson Cooper, Maxwell Cooper, Avery Long, Fisher Long, Colin Cooper, Sutton Cooper, and Ellie Jo Stokes. Ray is survived by his brother, Paul Stokes and wife Sheryl of Houston, Texas. Further survivors include his former wife, Mary Ottaway Stokes and his five step-children, many step-grandchildren, and former daughter-in-law, Linda Stokes.

A Celebration of Life service for Ray will be held at the Mausoleum Chapel on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 2:00 pm with Military Honors on the grounds of Hill Crest Memorial Park, 601 Hwy 80, Haughton, Louisiana 71037 with Brother Tim Thiele officiating.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Brian Long, Larry Cooper, Stephen Cooper, Jeremy Long, Jonathan Long, Dillon Stokes and Matthew Stokes. Honorary pallbearers are Bob Foley, Joe Foley and CJ Foley.

Memorials may be made in honor of Marvin Raymond Stokes, Jr. to Ark-La-Tex Christian encampment, 307 CC Sandage Road, Elm Grove, Louisiana, 71051.