Stephen Stokes

Stephen Wayne Stokes, 67, of Rexburg, Idaho, passed away July 1, 2016, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center following post surgery complications.

He was born in Salmon, Idaho, on Oct. 1, 1948, to Robert and Katheryne Stokes.

Steve graduated from Salmon High School in 1966. He attended Ricks College before serving an LDS mission to the Cumorah, N.Y., mission from 1967 to 1969.

Following his mission, he married the love of his life, Susan Weeks, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple in 1971. They moved to Boise, Idaho, to attend Boise State University, and he graduated in 1973. While there, their first child was born.

He taught high school in Leadore, Idaho, for 14 years, was athletic director, coached basketball and cross-country and taught early morning seminary. During the summers, he operated heavy equipment and drove truck. In 1976, he drove his own truck to help with the Teton Dam cleanup.

Steve and Susan had two more children while living in Leadore. While in Leadore, he served on the city council and as mayor and was a volunteer EMT. In 1988, he moved his wife and three kids to Pocatello, Idaho, to earn his doctorate in political science from Idaho State University in 1990. He moved to Ottumwa, Iowa, to teach at Indian Hills Community College. Shortly after, he accepted his dream job teaching at Ricks College. He received the Master Teacher Award and served as department chair, assisting Ricks College in transitioning to Brigham Young University - Idaho. He lived in the Rexburg area the rest of his life and was blessed with three more children.

He loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He served in bishoprics, on the high councils of the Salmon and Rexburg South stakes, ward mission leader, YM presidencies, Scouts, high priest group leader and as a temple worker at the Rexburg LDS Temple.

Steve Stokes was a man that loved all and was loved by all. His sincere smile and genuine interest in others lifted and inspired everyone around him. His greatest joy in life was spending time with his family and playing with his grandkids. He also loved teaching and counseling his students in academics and life. He never passed by an opportunity to help others.

Steve is survived by his wife, Susan; children, Yvette (Jacob) Putnam, Jared (Emillee), Joli (Robert) Young, Tessa (Joshua) Wiltse, Taylor and Sam; his mother, Katheryne; and his siblings, Heber, Jed, Kathy and Tammy. He is also survived by Joshua, McKayla, Blythe (Putnam), Jackson, Orion, Wynne (Stokes), Jessica, Ashley, Livia, William (Young) and Annalynn (Wiltse).

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert; his brother, Ralph; and his granddaughter, Annee Stokes.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 9, at Rexburg South Stake Center, 2041 W. 5200 S. The family will receive friends from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Saturday, both times at the stake center. Interment will be in Sutton Cemetery under the direction of Flamm Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent to www.flammfh.com.