Gary Stokes

Gary Dean Stokes passed away on Monday, December 8, 2014 in Salt Lake City, Utah, surrounded by family and friends. He was born on March 30, 1956 to Betty and Dean Stokes in the Bitterroot mountains of Salmon, Idaho.
Gary was the oldest of six children with two brothers and three sisters: Ray Stokes, Kent Stokes, Connie Haffen, Rita Lee, and Paula Cox. He was born and raised on a small farm in Salmon where he was taught the value of hard work from an early age. At age six, he was in charge of milking the family cows before school every day. All of Gary's siblings remember the opening day of fishing season at Williams Lake every year were he would wake them all up really early in the morning and drive them up to the lake for a great day of fishing. During his childhood, Gary enjoyed playing and working outdoors with his dad, siblings, cousins and friends. He was a very humble and kind-hearted individual who loved rooting for the under-dog and always making sure that everyone felt included and loved. Many of his fellow classmates deemed Gary to be a great leader and role model.
Some of Gary's hobbies included fishing, hunting, riding motorcycles and playing basketball for his dad, who was the Salmon High School head coach for many years. He was an exceptional athlete who still holds records for points scored and rebounds at Salmon High School. Gary was a Prep All-American and went on to play college basketball on a full-ride scholarship at Montana State University. He graduated from Montana State with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health & Physical Education. Shortly after graduating, he moved to Alaska where he taught school for a year.
After teaching, Gary moved to Jerome, Idaho where he took a job as the local State Farm Insurance agent. Shortly afterwards, he met his eternal companion, Teri Thompson Stokes. Gary and Teri were blessed with five boys, Brad (Kayla) Stokes, Brent (Erin) Stokes, Brandon (Hallie) Stokes, Justin (Nicole) Stokes, and Jason (Denisse) Stokes.
Many days throughout Gary's career we spent down at Northside Auto Body Shop with many of his friends, discussing and trying to solve the world’s problems. This group was also in charge of setting up tables and chairs for many of the church's activities. Gary also enjoyed spending time with his boys on their farm raising calves, going on numerous hunting and fishing trips, and offering coaching while playing together on the basketball court. He was very passionate about the game of basketball, especially when his boys were playing, and he had a reputation for yelling with the best of them and occasionally getting thrown out of a ball game. Gary was also a wonderful chef and was notorious for cooking an exceptional breakfast.  If someone ever showed up at his house, they were sure to leave on a full stomach. Gary had a funny and unique sense of humor that drew many people close to him.
Gary was a wonderful father who taught his kids about tough love.  He was proud that his five boys all served full-time missions for the LDS church. Each one of Gary's sons and daughters-in-law knew that they were truly loved and cared for.  He loved being a grandpa to his eight grandchildren and knew that his greatest blessings were his family and friends.
Gary was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He had many Christ-like attributes that were recognized by those who came to know him.
Gary is preceded in death by his father and grandparents.  A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2014 , at Farnsworth Mortuary, 1343 S. Lincoln in Jerome, where family and friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. , Friday, Dec 12, 2014 at the Jerome LDS Stake Center on 506 N. Tiger Drive in Jerome, with a visitation one hour prior.  A celebration of life will be at 7 p.m. held on Friday, Dec 12, 2014, at the LDS Church on Highway 28 in Salmon, Idaho.  Interment will be at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec 13, 2014, at the Salmon Cemetery.   Gary's family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made in his name to:  Perpetual Education Fund, LDS Philanthropies , 1450 N. University Avenue , Provo, UT 84604.