MALAD — Ralph LeRoy Stokes, 92, passed away Thursday, September 13, 2001, in the Oneida Nursing Home of heart failure.
He was born January 24, 1909, in Promontory, Utah, to Charles and Eliza Amelia Stokes. He was the youngest of 11 children, 6 boys and 5 girls. Growing up on the Promontory Peninsula, the mountains and the lakeshore were his playground. Ralph’s mother and father had a big dry farm in the Booth Valley, and he, along with the other members of his family, worked hard bringing in the crops.
He worked as a rail inspector and foreman for the Southern Pacific Railroad at Promontory Station and Susanville, California. He served his country in the Army during World War II in the Medical Detachment, 189 Field Artillery, 45th Division, as an ambulance driver.
He married Ida Davis in Ogden on May 27, 1946. He acquired three stepsons whom he helped raise. He worked as a meat cutter in Brigham City at the Sycamore Grocery Store for three years and worked at the Ogden Defense Depot for 25 years, retiring in 1968. Ida died on September 8, 1983. He married Mabel (Tilley) Moyes January 30, 1985, in Ogden. They resided in Plain City. He added another stepson and stepdaughter to his family. Tilley passed away November 5, 1988.
On March 29, 1991, Ralph married Hazel Hall Ezell in Elko, Nevada. He added another step-daughter and stepson. On January 16, 1993, he and Hazel became eternal partners when their vows were solemnized in the Ogden Temple. They have lived together in Malad for 10 years.
He was active in the Fifth Ward’s High Priest Quorum in various capacities. He was also a home teacher.
He was very much admired and respected by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed by all those whose lives he touched throughout the years.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents and all of his brothers and sisters and two stepsons, Eugene W. Davis and Bruce L. Davis.
Surviving are his wife, Hazel, and five stepchildren, Dennis (Louise) Davis, Ogden; Dean (Shirley) Moyes, Ogden; Renee (Bert) Vaughn, Apache Junction, Arizona; Janice (Leland) Carlson, Ogden; Dalton Hall, Pocatello, Idaho. He is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who loved him dearly.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2001, in the Benson Horsley Funeral Home, 132 W. 300 N., Malad, at 12 noon.
Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Tuesday one hour prior to the services. Burial will be in the Malad City Cemetery.