Obituary of Jerry Eugene Stokes

Jerry Eugene ”Red” Stokes, 89, of Federal Way, received his angel wings on January 2, 2024. He suffered respiratory failure and encephalopathy after complications from pneumonia. Jerry was born the 8th of 9 children to Kate and Andrew Stokes in Valier, Montana on July 24, 1934. He moved with his family to Seattle, Washington as a child, then to Federal Way.

He leaves behind his wife of 47 years – Carol (Schwitzke); 3 daughters - Diane Smith of Tacoma, Linda Temple of Happy Valley Oregon, and Cynthia [Daniel] Couture of Canby Oregon; 3 sons – Ed Johnson of Auburn, Raymond [Angela] Johnson of Las Vegas, and Fish [Libby] Johnson of Auburn; 12 grandchildren – Jeffrey Wilson of Enumclaw, Jeremy Wilson of Gig Harbor, Ian Hughes of Tacoma, Edd Smith IV of Kent, Ryan Smith of Enumclaw, Kirk Temple of Chicago Illinois, Katie Temple of Happy Valley Oregon, Naomi Baucom of Cache Oklahoma, Stefani Laws of Portland Oregon, Cassaundra Johnson of Longview Washington, Jordan Johnson Drew and Brennan Johnson of Las Vegas; 7 great-grandchildren – Malachi, Samara, Caleb and Colin Wilson, Edd Smith V, Hazel Henson, and Royce Smith; 1 great-great-grandson - Ondre’ Smith; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters - Dorothy Nash, Lucille Stokes, Barbara Larson Hibbert, and Inez Barrea; and brothers Milton, Blaine, Duane, and Boyd Stokes.

Jerry was a quiet man with a gentle, loving, generous spirit and mischievous sense of humor. His children all speak of him as a wonderful and wise Dad who always made them feel loved. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, bowling, bingo, casino gaming, watching sports and horseracing, and playing card games with family and friends. Besides working as a meatcutter for over 45 years at Art’s Food Centers, he co-owned and operated the Sea Sausage seafood market in Burien and worked with his sister Inez who owned the Ideal Tavern in Auburn. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed by many.

The Funeral will be held February 16, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Auburn, followed by a Reception. A Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. at Gethsemane Cemetery in Federal Way.