Gerald Walter Stokes

Gerald W. Stokes moved from Ascension St. Vincent's Southside Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, to the glories of heaven to join our mom and other heavenly family members on February 14, 2023, at the age of 89. He was a beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, and Peepaw.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, on September 3, 1933, during the depths of the Great Depression, he was preceded in death by his parents, Malcolm and Viola, and three of his siblings: brothers James and Robert and sister Marge. He is survived by two brothers, Fred (Fran) and Richard (Pat), and three sons, David (Karen), Gregory (Dawn), and Trace (Carlos). He is also survived by six grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Gerald was a proud Korean War Air Force veteran. He flew aerial reconnaissance as part of the crew of an RB26 light bomber. He was privileged to attend the opening ceremonies for the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C., in 1995.

He met his wife, Wanda, in 1955, and they were married on March 3, 1956. During their 46 years together, they raised three sons. She was instrumental in his conversion and eventual call to the ministry and served at his side as a beloved Pastor's wife. Wanda went home to be with the Lord on December 6, 2002.

Gerald married Patricia Streeter of Clifton, Virginia, in July 2003. They shared a passion for history and travel, which took them to several countries. Pat passed away in 2017.

Ordained as a Baptist minister in 1966, Gerald served churches in Dearborn Heights and Taylor, Michigan; Simsbury, Connecticut; Daleville, Indiana; and New Albany, Pennsylvania. He retired from the pastorate in 1999.

Not receiving his high school diploma until the age of 30, Gerald ultimately earned a Bachelor's degree in Religious Education from Detroit Bible College, a Master of Arts degree in history from Eastern Michigan University, and a Ph.D. from Heritage Baptist University. He is the author of several Bible commentaries, including, Manifesto of the Kingdom: A Study of the Sermon on the Mount.

In addition to his work as a clergyman over the years, Gerald worked as a brick and stone mason, oil refiner (Marathon Oil Company), and Probation Coordinator for the 34th District Court in Romulus, Michigan.

In his later years, Gerald worked as part of the Storytellers Team at the famed TPC Sawgrass and helped each year with their signature event-The Players Championship. This experience was one of the great joys of his life, and colleagues and members of the PGA Tour affectionately referred to him as "Doc."

There will be a memorial service at the chapel at Michigan Memorial Park Cemetery in Flat Rock, Michigan at noon on March 11, 2023. He will be buried immediately after this service alongside Wanda, the mother of his children.