Lendwood Calvin Stokes Sr. was born on June 27, 1945. He was the first born of five siblings to Elizabeth C. Stokes and Donald V. Stokes. This native Delawarean was an exceptional father, an awesome husband, an inventor, a butcher and an entrepreneur.
Above all things, Lendwood Calvin Stokes was a God fearing man who had intellectual gifts that could have only come from God. He was one of the world’s hidden treasures when it came to cooking. If you ever visited him, you would often find him in the kitchen preparing a meal for his guests. This was especially true of his wonderful Thanksgiving dinners. His food was so delicious that people would often ask, “Why don’t you open a restaurant?”
On a sunny day you would catch him outside near a body of water fishing with his kids, family, friends or a random stranger. While mostly relaxing and possibly sleeping while fishing, he would always manage to end up catching the biggest fish of the day.
Mr. Stokes, as many would call him, loved jazz music. You’d often find him dancing and making Donald Duck impressions for his grandchildren. He always had a smile on his face and telling jokes was one of his favorite pastimes. Even if you were not in a joking mood, he would make you laugh by saying something so ridiculously funny, you had no choice but to laugh.
His hobbies included collecting guns, antique swords, stamps, coins, comics, baseball cards and music. Watching alien abduction science fiction shows was a favorite of his.
The importance of acquiring a good education was a major concern of his. He encouraged his children and grandchildren with this favorite saying of his: “You go to school to learn and be smart, not to make friends.” He would have them repeat this back to him to make sure they had heard him.
Lastly, Lendwood was the kind of person who would literally give one the shirt off his back if you were one in need. His last wishes proved how true and dear to his heart this act of human kindness was to him. He decided to give himself to contribute to and possibly save the lives of others. He always said and believed that because someone had given him a second chance; he wanted to give second chances or other opportunities in life to others.
Lendwood C. Stokes is not only a hero to his family but a hero to many.
Submitted by the Stokes Family