Ray Stokes Jr.
Ray Roderick Lovelle Stokes, Jr., died peacefully on September 17, 2025, surrounded by his wife, children, friends, and family. He was 75 years old. His funeral service at the Melton-Kitchens Chapel of Memories will be held on Monday, September 22, beginning at 2 p.m. with Pastor Rita Kopecki officiating.
Born the youngest of three to Ray Stokes, Sr., and Laura Bowles Stokes, Ray was a loving and well-loved child. He was adored by his father, mother, and older sisters, Anna and Renée. Even as a small child, he loved music and singing. There is a wonderful picture of him as just a small boy, dressed up for the holidays, wearing a cowboy hat, singing and holding a guitar. That picture was emblematic of who he was until his dying day.
Ray tasted tragedy far too early when his father died shortly before his third birthday. It was a loss that he felt through his whole life. After his mother remarried, he welcomed three younger brothers, James, Frank, and Brad.
Breckenridge, Texas, was a special place in his childhood, where his grandparents and extended family lived. As a young boy, his friends had epic BB gun fights in the neighborhood streets of Dallas. He rode horses, was a great shot, and played baseball. As a teenager, he was the bass player in a popular Dallas band called The Sticks that played parties, bars, and dances all around town.
He thought himself destined for a career in rock and roll but found his passion and purpose when he met his Lord, Jesus Christ, and started a lifetime of ministry at just 19. He was a quick study of the Scriptures and preferred more than anything to be in prayer and worship. He started his first church at the age of 21 in Mammoth Lakes, California, and went on to establish churches in Reno, Nevada, and Plano, Texas. Starting in his 50s, his ministry focused more on ministering to and helping strengthen churches around the world. He ministered in Scotland, Ireland, England, Germany, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Egypt, Jamaica, Mexico, and churches all over the US. He never abandoned his talent for singing and songwriting, and performed his original pieces in all the places he preached
He met the love of his life, Ann, at the age of 20, and he died only a few days short of their 54th anniversary. They had a whirlwind engagement and marriage in 1971, and then welcomed three children in the following years, and later, welcomed seven grandchildren.
He loved to laugh and tell jokes. He loved babies, dogs, and Christmas. But more than anything, he loved to be in church, in the presence of the Lord and in the fellowship of the saints, ministering the grace and gospel of Jesus Christ.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Ann; his sister, Renée Julien; his brothers James Allen and Frank Allen; his son Joshua Stokes and wife Kim, and their children, Duncan, Ramsay, Isla, and Willow; daughter Abigail Palsma and husband Brad, and their children, Kirk, Garrett, and Jude; and daughter L.E. Grace and her husband Zach. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Laura; his sister Anna Ledet; and his brother Bradford Allen.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to: New Hope Christian Fellowship, 1208 E. 15th St, Plano, TX 75074 or St. Jude’s Hospital – stjude.org or ALS Association – als.org. Memorials can be left at Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home, and condolences can be made at meltonkitchens.com.
