Donald Albert Stokes 'Don', 84, of Charlottesville, VA passed away on November 10, 2024, at the Center for Acute Hospice Care after a long and hard battle with his health.

Visitation will be Friday, November 15, from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. at Calvary Chapel Keswick. Funeral service will immediately follow at 12:15 p.m. with Pastor Matt Basinger of Calvary Chapel Keswick officiating, assisted by former pastor Cody Rader. Burial will follow at Monticello Memory Gardens. Arrangements are by Hill and Wood Funeral Home.

Don was born in Charlottesville to Cornelia Bickers Stokes and Charles Edward Stokes on February 12, 1940. He graduated from Albemarle High School in 1958. Don married Karen Joy Stokes, whom he called the love of his life, on July 16, 1978, in Charlottesville. He proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1959 to 1963 as an air traffic controller and served on some of their athletic teams. Don worked for many years first at Acme Visible Records and then as a letter carrier with the United States Post Office, a job he loved. He was a life long member of First Christian Church, which is now Calvary Chapel Keswick.

Don had a very strong faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Though often a man of few words, he shared his faith when possible and wanted everyone to realize that time in this life was short. He enjoyed playing money ball with his friends at Meadowcreek Golf Course for 20 years until he was no longer able. Don loved serving as a volunteer boys' varsity basketball coach at St. Anne's-Belfield School for many years. Helping young men become the very best they could be was near and dear to his heart. Don loved his family, was an excellent cook, an excellent golfer, a great sports coach, a good father and grandfather, and a loving husband to his wife, Karen, for 46 years. Karen believes it was a privilege to be Don's fierce advocate and loving wife his entire life, but especially through the last 21 difficult months of his life. Don loved animals, especially his four sweet felines. When the September 11, 2001 terrible attack occurred on the United States, Don felt driven to create a patch representing the disaster to remind people to never forget, to stay strong, and to pray for our Nation. He shared this patch with many people, including government officials, so they would not become complacent and forget to remain vigilant against our country's many enemies.

Don was preceded in death by his mother, Cornelia Bickers Stokes; his father, Charles Edward Stokes; his sister, Joyce Booke; and his former wife, Carolyn Sue Stringfield.

Don is survived by his wife, Karen Stokes; his son, DC Stokes (Jackie); his brother, Wilmer Stokes; his grandchildren, Stephanie Summa (Justin), Bailey Hilton (Joey), and Courtney Hanson (Dustin); and his great-grandchildren, Jocelynn Summa, Callie Summa, Cooper Summa and Raelynn Morris; sister-in-law, Kim Epperson (Glen); brother-in-law, Alan Comer; and many nieces; nephews; and cousins.

Don's family would like to extend sincere and grateful thanks to Dr. Karen Starr for her many years of invaluable support and care and to Hospice of the Piedmont for their kind and professional care in the last months of Don's life. They also wish to express their deep gratitude to special nurses Emily Munoz and Heather Rausch, and some special CNAs, of The Laurels for their wonderful care and love for Don and Karen for the last several months on Don's journey home to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Don's family is very grateful for the love and prayers from their dear church family, Pastor Matt, and close friends during Don's long and difficult journey home to Heaven.

Submitted by Allen Carver.