Donald Stokes

Donald Lester Stokes, 86, of Paden City, WV, died in Parkersburg, WV, May 1, 2023, with his sons at his side. Don was born December 3, 1936, in Sistersville, WV, to Celia Ann Stokes and Lester Franklin Stokes. He was Presbyterian. Preceding Don in death was his sister, Jo Anne (1948), son, James (2020) and countless relatives. He is survived by his wife, Norma, of the home, sons, Britt (Barbara) of Pursley, WV, Mike (Penny) of Friendly, WV and Tom of Cutler, OH. Also surviving are grandsons, Jason, Zachary and Sean as well as three great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. If you knew Don, you knew a sharp mind that told you facts without sugar. You knew exactly where you stood with him. Don was a 1954 graduate of Sistersville High School. The previous year he was privileged and proud to start as an offensive guard for legendary Ohio Valley coach George Strager's 1953 Class B State Football Championship team at Sistersville. After graduation, Don enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Korea. Not long after his honorable discharge in 1957, Don met Norma Virginia Kraus of Paden City. Married in 1958, they were a loving couple for almost 65 years. They raised a family in Paden City and Don retired in 1999 after 42 years of service to what started as Olin Mathieson before becoming Consolidated Aluminum and finally, Ormet Corporation in Hannibal, OH. Don was a life member at Sistersville ELKS Lodge #333 and Sistersville VFW Post #6327. At the Elks, he dedicated his time to charitable service. He held every lodge chair and was Exalted Ruler in 1966. He was elected West Virginia Elks State President in 1973, and was a Grand Lodge ritualistic committeeman in the mid 1990's. He remained involved as Sistersville Elks Secretary until the end. His last duty was making sure three donations would be processed. He built many lasting friendships through Elks service. Don loved America first, because it used to be about more than the individual. He loved his family, spending time on the river, Labor Day cookouts, his fellow Elks, football and all things West Virginia. He passed listening to Fox News, of course. You could go on about Don, but paying extra for newspaper copy, in his words, "isn't practical." In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the ELKS PER Scholarship Fund, PO Box 151, Sistersville, WV 26175. There will be a memorial service honoring Don at a later date. Online condolences may be offered at myersfuneralhomewv.com.