Curtis Boyd Stokes

Curtis Boyd Stokes, Prairie Village, Kansas, passed away at his home on August 12, 2012. He was born in Butler, Missouri on April 24, 1938, the only child of Carl Eugene and Helen Radford Stokes, who preceded him in death. He grew up in Brentwood, Missouri and graduated from Brentwood High School. Curt played Center on Brentwood’s First State Championship team. After graduation from the University of Missouri, where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta, Curt entered the U.S. Marine Corps where he felt his life was shaped. After his service the young Marine Captain joined Caterpillar, Inc. and always felt fortunate to have spent his entire career in the Caterpillar family. During those years he served as President of the New Jersey Equipment Distributors Association, President of the North Plains Caterpillar Dealers Association, President of the Great Lakes Caterpillar Dealers Association and President of the Plains Caterpillar Dealers Association. He retired in 2005 as President of Dean Machinery Co. and then served on Dean’s Board as Chairman Emeritus. Curt was a mentor to many in the industry and was a longtime Board member of the Heavy Constructors Association of Kansas City. He was a lifetime member of the Navy League, as well as the U.S. Marine Corps Tankers Association. He was pleased to have been named a Kentucky Colonel. For over 10 years he served on the Board of The Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City, the only former patient to ever do so. While a patient at the Institute he was the recipient of the 1998 Jane Froman Award for the most courageous recovery, an award he treasured. He truly felt that the difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man’s determination. In the 80’s, the once ‘reluctant traveler’ discovered delight in visiting new countries and getting to know their people. He and his wife Jackie traveled the world together. He considered himself most fortunate to have been blessed with a great family and true friends who remained constant in comforting him during his last months. Left to cherish him is his wife Jacqueline Holzer Stokes whom he wed in St. Croix on the first day of spring, 1988; his three sons and daughters-in-law Drs. Bradley and Amanda Stokes of Carrollton, Texas, Drs. Jeffrey and Karen Stokes of Omaha, Nebraska, Douglas and Ann Stokes of Overland Park, Kansas; and stepson and daughter-in-law Ronald and Dawn Oney of Webb City, Missouri. He was ‘Papa Curt’ to ten grandchildren Keane, Cooper, Erin, Carl, Curtis, Casey, Carter, Joseph, Kate and Lauren Oney-Stadler. He will be sorely missed by his devoted brother-in-law James Craig Holzer and his dear friend and caregiver Ottilew Maupin. Visitation will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Thursday, August 16, which will be followed by Mass of Christian Burial at Cure’ of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Road, Leawood, Kansas. Private burial will be in St. Michaels Cemetery in Brookfield, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the C.B. Stokes Veterans Care Fund at the Rehabilitation Institute of Kansas City, 3011 Baltimore, Kansas City, Missouri 64108, www.rehabkc.org. It is said that the measure of a man’s life can be found in his character, his optimism, his joy and humor, his passion for what is good and right and in his love for family, neighbor and country. Curtis Boyd Stokes measured up to the full extent. Condolences may be offered at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com.