Obituary of Royce O'Neal "Jack" Stokes

Mr. Royce O’Neal “Jack” Stokes, a resident of Ozark, passed away Sunday, January 14, 2024. He was 92 years old. Funeral services for Mr. Stokes will be 11:00 A. M. Thursday, January 18, 2024 from Ozark Baptist Church with Reverend Dr. Billy D. Gaither officiating. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Memory Gardens, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends in the church Thursday from 9:30 A.M. until service time. Mr. Stokes was born September 11, 1931 in Dale County, Alabama to the late Roy and Mamie Stokes. Jack graduated from Dale County High School where he was a star in football and received a football scholarship to Mississippi Southern. He chose to enlist in the United States Army. He was in the 11th Airborne Division where he completed thirty-five parachute jumps while in training as a radio operator during the Korean War. When he was discharged he came home to work with his father in the grocery business. After that he went to work with the United States Post Office where he was a city mail carrier for thirty-two years. Jack went to work with the Ozark Recreation Department where he served in many positions. He was very involved in Dixie Baseball for fifty years, serving as District Director, Assistant State Director and National Board Member. He was a member of Ozark Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 61 1/2 years, Jean Cooper Stokes; daughter-in-law, Cindy Stokes; two sisters, Elaine Pilkinton and Mary Beth Zajac. He is survived by three sons, Jackie Stokes (Marcie), Steve Stokes (Beth) and Greg Stokes; one sister, Barbara Fisher (Bill); one brother-in-law, Bobby Cooper (Mary). Numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren along with several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Community Hospice, Josh Hansard and Charlotte McDaniel for their loving care.