Larry Cleon Stokes

Funeral service for Larry Cleon Stokes will be 10 a.m., Tues., July 15 at Rehoboth Baptist Church with Pastor Wayne Keely officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery under the direction of MMS-Payne Funeral Home & Cremation Service. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Mon. 1-8 p.m., and family will greet friends 6-8 p.m.

Larry passed away from this life onThurs., July 10, 2014 at Hillcrest Hospital South, Tulsa, at the age of 75.

The son of Waldo Basil and Verna Thelma (Clagg) Stokes was born July 12, 1938, in the Franklin Hospital in Claremore. Larry was a graduate of Claremore High School, class of 1956. He was always proud of playing football with the Zebras and followed their games through the years, hardly missing any. He enlisted with a buddy in the Marine Corps and served 4 years. Being a 'peace time warrior', he always pointed out he was trained and ready, but was never called to action. Once a Marine, always a Marine.

Returning to Claremore, Larry served as a police officer for the city. He started out as the meter maid before being moved to patrol. Even took some good humor ribbing about it. He served with pride and decided to try the Oklahoma Patrol, graduating from the Highway Patrol Academy #22. Retiring (after 25 years) as a Senior Hearing Officer from the Drivers Improvement Division, in 1988.

Claremore Lake was one of his favorite spots which kept him occupied with his real reason for retirement, fishing. Most every day, you could find him there. His other times, when not taken up with football and fishing, were spent telling jokes and keeping people laughing. He kept finding new 'victims' so he told most of the same jokes, but he left them smiling. And these people always remembered Larry no matter how long he missed seeing them, as will we.

Larry had been troubled with medical problems the last twenty or so years. Now he is relieved of all aches and pains. We wonder who he is eating peach cobbler with now. He was cherished and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his sister, Jan Stokes Moffet of Claremore; daughters: Sandra Webster and husband, Kenney of Claremore, Michelle Cagle and husband, Danny of Dennis, KS, and Laura Stokes of Ft. Smith, AR; grandson, Blake Webster; granddaughters: Joy Spaulding and husband, Matt of Foyil, and Tina Rainwater of Claremore; and 7 great-grandchildren of the Claremore area.

He is also survived by wife, Gwen Huckleby Stokes and sons, Galen Coffelt and wife, Vanessa of Paradise, TX, Matt Coffelt and wife, Mary of Farmers Branch, TX, and Troy Coffelt of Claremore; grandchildren: Kyle Coffelt, Katie Drevecky and husband, Cory, Khristina Coffelt, and Willie Coffelt; and 2 great-granddaughters of Texas.