Curtis J. Stokes

The world was blessed with the birth of Curtis J. Stokes on February 28, 1945, in Laurel, Mississippi. The youngest of seven children, he was the pride and joy of his older siblings. Throughout his life he fondly recalled the kindness shown to by his Grandmother Broadhead when he was a very young child. Working and growing up in Mississippi, he learned early the how-tos of fishing, hunting, and gardening which he enjoyed throughout his life.

He was a self-taught carpenter and loved spending time in his backyard shop. One hobby he enjoyed was feeding the birds with his many feeders, and his vegetable garden was a source of pride but paled in comparison to cooking his homegrown products and putting them on the table along with his secret cornbread recipe. Cooking his catch from a fishing trip to Lake Talquin at his backyard fish fry was something, too, he was always planning or doing.

Although he loved to travel, he did not discover that passion until later in his adult life. With great excitement, he travelled much of Europe, Scandinavia, and Russia. Yet, his greatest joy was camping in the Smoky Mountains with Patsy, his wife and the love of his life. There was nothing more special than sitting around the campfire together.

For Curtis, FSU football was the fifth season of the year, and he would endure many hot afternoons and cold evenings attending the games. A ritual for these events was his preparation of boiled peanuts which was a must have hors d’oeuves.

Other passions for him was country music and western movies. Conway Twitty was he very favorite country music star, and no one could come close to his western move hero, John (The Duke) Wayne. Fittingly, the theme of his 75th birthday party was all Wayne. He spent many hours watching the same great movies The Duke made (just in case they changed the script from one viewing to the next).

He never lost his appreciation for the simple things in life such as a crisp, cold morning, the rustle of the leaves in the trees or seeing the beautiful clear blue skies or the forming of thunderheads with rain to come (sometimes). Because as a plumber he worked outdoors a good deal, he watched the weather closely and kept everyone up to date if bad weather was predicted. Thus, his family dubbed him “The Weather Warrior”. He was meticulous in his craft for over 40 years and retired in 2003.

Curtis had a full and happy life, but the thing people first recall at the mention of his name was his gift for telling jokes. He literally had a joke for every topic, and his ability to recall a joke impromptu added levity to all circumstances. This gift allowed strangers to easily become dear friends. He was a member of the Bradfordville First Baptist Church and had many, many friends, especially in his Sunday School class, who thoroughly enjoyed his humor. Another favored pastime was playing Shanghai Rummy with his neighbors.

He lived in Tallahassee all of his adult life and peacefully passed away in his sleep at home on May 2 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was lovingly cared for by his wife Patsy during the months’ long fight. Although he expressed regret his earthly journey was finished, he knew he was promised everlasting life with his Savior. He will be remembered and missed by all that knew him because he was a good man who lived a good life and left a great legacy of love, laughter and generosity, and such is his footprint that remains.

His life’s journey included everything from plows to palaces and he passed as a content man. He is survived by his wife, Patsy Perkins Stokes, daughters Ann Marie Crosby (Charley), Debbie Lane (Patrick), grandchildren Matt Crosby (Kim), Taylor Crosby (April), John Demontmollin (Jerica) Ric Demontmollin, Brittney Craig (Scott), Lacey Nelson (Reed), and Cayelan Loucks, and several great grandchildren who he absolutely adored.