Dr. John Franklin Stokes
Dr. John Franklin Stokes, beloved husband, father, friend and physician left us to see God on February 18,2021. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Eugene Stokes, and mother, Esther Lawlis Stokes.
Frank, as he was called by all who knew him, was born in Abilene, Texas on July 5, 1931. Frank grew up in Lampasas,Texas with his older brother , Charles Eugene Stokes, Junior, a current resident of San Angelo, Texas. Frank always remembered his childhood as a very happy time with many friends and family.
After graduating from high school in 1947 at 16, Frank went to Texas Tech with a scholarship in textile engineering. During his first year there he decided he wanted to become a physician and transferred to the University of Texas. He graduated in 1953 and was accepted at Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. He graduated in 1957 and began internships in Wichita, Kansas. He Joined the Air Force in 1958 with the rank of captain and promptly was sent to Goose Bay, Labrador. He recalled the freezing temperatures, wonderful Canadians and the lobsters often. Later he had postings in El Paso and Topeka, Kansas.
After deciding to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology Frank began his residency in 1961 at Hermann Hospital in Houston. He also did a psychiatry program at Menninger Clinic in Kansas.
Frank practiced medicine in Lake Charles, Texas but decided to move with his family to San Antonio in 1969. After setting up practice with another doctor he championed many innovative systems such as allowing fathers in the delivery room with their wives. He was Chief of Staff of Ob-Gyn at Methodist Hospital for several years, a member of the Maternal Mortality Committee for the state and several other organizations.
Once, when asked how many babies he had delivered he answered, “thousands and every one was beautiful.” He worked diligently and wanted the best for all his patients.
Frank was a member of The Sons of the Republic of Texas and various medical and religious organizations. He loved his job, his friends and his family.
Dr.Stokes leaves behind his dearly loved wife of 35 years, Stephanie Stokes. His daughter Mary and husband Ed Myslik. His sons, John Stokes and wife Tina, Charlie Stokes and wife Lauren, and Stephen Stokes and wife Stephanie. Also, left behind are 17 grandchildren and his brother and best friend Charles. His children and his grandchildren were the pride of his life and he loved them all.
A memorial service will be held at the family plot in Lampasas at a later date.
In lieu of flowers please send memorial contributions to an animal or veteran’s charity of your choice.
Frank was among the kindest and most caring of men–always ready to listen and to converse on any topic, and always looking out for his family and friends. He was the consummate gentleman and such a pleasure to be with. We extend our deepest sympathies to Stephanie and to the entire Stokes family.
Janie and Wade Morrison
During our Friday morning meetings, Frank was always a ray of sunshine. He and Dave and General Gaither were always leading voices in stories of medicine, military and family. I’ll never forget the Jo and I accompanied Pre and Patty Ball to the party in Leon Springs. He was always positive about the nation, military and Texas.
I’m sorry I didn’t get to spend more time with him as he was a man who displayed Christian beliefs, love for America and family We’ll miss you Frank.
Gary DeLaune
I met & got to know & appreciate Frank through the Liars Club, our Friday morning breakfasts. What a fine gentleman. A truly gentle & compassionate man. Above all, a superb listener & interpreter of events in the world around him.
Frank was well read on any subject that came up. He was an avid historian. We often traded our latest choices in current reading. He loved his family, our nation & was a proud Texan.
A light has gone out in our world & gone on in another. I will miss my friend.
Deepest sympathies & regards to Stephanie & the entire stokes family in this somber time.
JSS
I really liked and worked with Frank Stokes. A great human being, and he really helped many individuals !
My favorite memory was driving around Cross Mountain Ranch on the evening of July 4th, 2004, and Frank and I were looking for those folks trying to set off fireworks in the subdivision, and we were alert for fires caused by those firecrackers and rockets. We drove around and talked for five hours, until about 12:30 a.m. on July 5th, and “protected our subdivision from destruction”. We talked about Air Force things, and his golfing successes, and all the other stuff happening in the world at that time !
We will very much miss Dr. Frank Stokes, a wonderful human being and Medical Doctor, whom brought many beautiful babies into this world !
Bruce Mabrito / South Texas
I am so sad that I missed the passing of my beloved doctor and friend. Dr. Stokes delivered my third baby, a son, during a 25 minute labor I was fully prepared for since he supported LaMaze deliveries and husbands in the delivery room. Unfortunately he also took me gently through the loss of my fourth baby, a daughter, in the ninth month of pregnancy.
Dr. Stokes did a wonderful favor for me personally by delivering my first grandchild, a granddaughter, who is the light of my life. He was only practicing obstetrics at the time but took on my daughter as his patient promising also to deliver her baby. I so appreciated that incredible personal favor.
Dr. Stokes also took my call when a friend without insurance was having an emergency. He directed me to bring her to the ER and knowing the circumstances underwrite this medical procedure.
He will never be forgotten for all of the wonderful lives he delivered and saved…literally.
Dr. Stokes offered me a position in his Oak Hills Towers practice, invited me to volunteer with his forays in to Mexico to take care of women’s health through his church.
He counseled my husband and me and always was warm and professional, not an easy balance to strike. He ran his offices at the very highest level of efficiency and I’m sure he demanded absolute perfection from his team.
I miss knowing that he is in this earthly world.
I worked with Dr. Frank Stokes on the Board of Directors of the Cross Mountain Ranch Home Owners Association, and he was a joy to work with. We were both ex-USAF and we worked well together. He REALLY wanted me to pick up his golfing addition, but I never did. My privilege to work with such a great human being. Bruce Mabrito