On Friday, August 5th, 2022 Kenneth Earl Stokes passed away at his home in Corning, Ca.

Ken was born on October 8th, 1939 in Erick, Oklahoma to George and Molly Stokes. He was one of five siblings. When Ken was four years old, he and his family made their way from Oklahoma to California, picking fruit along the way until they reached their destination. Growing up Ken had may different jobs, whether it be milking cows, working at a fruit shed or on a turkey farm, he was always a hard worker and determined to get ahead. Ken and his family have always had olive orchards and would pride themselves on their manicured appearance as well as their harvest.

Ken attended all his school years in Orland, Ca. He graduated from Orland High School in 1957, after which he worked at Duche Nut Company and then worked in construction. He returned to Duche and worked his way to supervisor. Meanwhile he purchased trucks and hauled hay, eventually starting his own business, Embrey and Stokes Trucking, which would run for over 40 years. He loved hunting with is dogs, raising roosters, packing with his mules and the many special times he spent with Carlos, Jerry and the entire Leal Family. He always enjoyed hosting company work parties and never missed an opportunity to a pull good prank.

Ken married his true love Carolyn and together they had two daughters. Ken was strong, stood by what he believed, and was a man of his word, but most of all he was a family man. He loved his wife, daughters and grandchildren more than live itself. He always said he would walk in front of a freight train for us. He touched many lives and will be deeply missed.

Ken is preceded in death by his parents George and Molly Stokes, his sister Joanne, daughter Julie, bother Alfred, sister-in-laws Jeri Stokes, Dolores Stokes and Christine Jones. He is survived by his wife Carolyn, daughters Laura Rath (Dakotah), Emily Lloyd (Jerrod), brothers George Stokes (Mikkie) and Wayne Stokes (Deborah), brother-in-law Larry Jones, grandchildren James Stokes; Abbigale, Millie and Reagan Rath; Ellese, Ella and Kendall Lloyd, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

A viewing will be available at Sweet-Olsen Family Mortuary from 1-4pm on Thursday August 11th 2022.
Graveside services will be held on Friday August 12th at 10:00 am at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Orland Ca. Reception immediately following at the Stokes residence, 23341 Flournoy Ave. Corning Ca, 96021.