Benjamin Thomas Stokes

Benjamin Thomas Stokes, Age 36, of Pflugerville, TX and working in Old Hickory, TN, passed away on July 05, 2022.
Preceded in death by his grandfathers, Robert Stokes Sr. and Thomas R. McKinley M.D.; grandmother, Jean S. Holford; aunt, Lori Kopfinger; also, Blue Bonnet, his 15 year old K9 Companion, and Beer and Mater, his feline family members.
He is survived in death by his parents, Richard and Melody Stokes; brothers, Patrick and Matthew Stokes; grandmothers, Patricia Stokes and Claudette McKinley; aunts and uncles, Robert (Debbie) Stokes, Jayne Stokes, Mike Kopfinger, Deborah (Hoppy) Williams, Chris (Mabel) Brown; cousins, Melanie Horne, Michael (Vanessa) Kopfinger, Jr., Adam Kopfinger, Melissa Stokes, Robert (Nicole) Stokes, III, Sara Stokes, Teren Williams, Marly (John) Riggs, Forrest Williams; best friend, AJ (Angela) Sjolander.
Benjamin grew up in Pflugerville, Texas attending Pflugerville ISD where he became President of the National Honor Society and competed on the high school Debate Team. He participated in Soccer, Baseball, the Science Olympiads National Competition 3 years in a row, and Boy Scouts (Troop 4277) becoming Eagle Scout at age 14 and hiking the infamous Philmont.
Benjamin aspired to become a Navy Seal but when selected to attend a Spring Camp his Senior year of high school and was sent for a physical exam it was discovered he had become an insulin dependent diabetic. Benjamin attended The University of Texas- Austin where he participated in the Texas 4000 riding a bike to Alaska to raise money for cancer. His love for animals drew him to 3 years of Vet Clinic care in Austin. That passion lead him to Montana State University where he obtained his Bachelors degree in Animal Science providing him the opportunity to complete an internship for large animal ranching in Australia. Benjamin went on to Iowa State University where he was in charge of the student sheep program and participated in bovine nutritional research.
Following college he ranched in Nebraska and worked heavy equipment for a Farming Co-op. Benjamin moved to Wyoming to pursue an occupation with the Bureau of Land Management. Over the last year he lived in Nashville, Tennessee where managed a distribution center.
Benjamin was a loving son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend, and Christian. Even though he was taken from us too soon he brought joy to our lives with his sense of humor and smile. He was loved and admired by many and will be truly missed by all!
Be at peace Benjamin!
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, JDRF.org
and AustinPetsAlive.org
A memorial service will be announced at a later time.