Arthur P. Stokes

Arthur Peyton Stokes was born on September 9, 1922 in Eastland, Texas. His childhood was to say the least very tumultuous; moving many times and attending multiple school throughout Texas. It was a great accomplishment for him to graduate from Stephen F. Austin High School in Houston in 1940. He later met his future wife Alice at a dance at Milby Park in the East End of Houston. They were married in 1943 while he was serving in the U.S. Navy.

After the war he worked in industrial fabrication for several companies while attending the University of Houston. In 1948 Arthur and Alice had me, their only child, Maurice Carson Stokes. My father gave me many great life lessons. He instilled in me the importance of hard work, honesty, the importance of family and giving back to others who were in greater need. He was a deeply spiritual and religious man who was very active at Sunrise Baptist church in Kerrville. He served as a deacon and provided support to his church community wherever needed. Arthur also served the Boy Scouts of America as a scoutmaster for many years and his positive influences provided a number of boys with the guidance to become successful adults.

My family moved to Pasadena, Texas in 1957 where my parents lived for the next 28 years. After an almost 30-year career with Texas Instruments, he retired and began an exciting new chapter in his life. My father loved the Hill Country and his greatest dream was to retire there. He bought some acreage in Kerrville Texas and converted the undeveloped property into a home much of which he built himself. They lived in Kerrville for thirty years with Dad being very active in his church and the garden club while supporting many charitable activities. He loved teaching school children about gardening and had the unusual hobby of raising worms for composting. He was affectionately called the “Worm Man” by the kids when he gave composting demonstrations and gave out free samples of worms. He was a gentle man who loved wildlife. All of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren oved to help their Pawpaw feed the deer and birds.

Two years ago they moved back to Houston to be close to their family. He is survived by his wife Alice Stokes, son Maurice Stokes and daughter-in-law Melanie Stokes, 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He will forever live in our hearts.