What a legacy to leave behind — a life well lived.

On May 26, 2026, Harold Douglas Stokes was called from this earthly life to join his Savior in Heaven. Harold leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and storytelling in the family and friends who now carry more than a few of his stories to share themselves.

Harold was born on May 20, 1942, to Ila Faye (Farris) and Vollney Jacob (VJ) Stokes in Lake Charles, Louisiana. His early childhood was spent running the aisles of the family hardware/appliance store and fishing in the bay with his dad and brother Lynn.

Harold graduated from William Adams High School in Alice, Texas in 1960 and would always joke that he crammed a 4-year college education into 7 and 1/2 attending Southwest Texas State College and Texas A&I College while spending two years as a roughneck in Illinois. He earned his degree in Agriculture in 1967 and went on to fulfill his lifelong passion as an Ag Teacher where he taught in Eagle Pass and Orange Grove. It was there that he met and married Virginia (Bartos), who blessed him with his son, Matthew.

Harold passed down his passion for hunting, fishing, good cattle, and being a steward of God’s land to Matt. They shared a deep devotion to family, a strong work ethic, and just enough stubbornness to keep life interesting. Matt later blessed Harold with a granddaughter, Riley, who carries that same unmistakable spark, making it clear that Harold’s legacy will continue for generations to come.

Harold worked as a Ranch Manager for many notable ranches, including the Standard Ranch and the 711 Ranch owned by The Nordan Trust. In 1981, he married the love of his life, Patricia (Pessing), and gained a son, Eric Shade. Together, Harold and Pat shared many of life’s greatest adventures. Those adventures took them to Boerne Texas, Pagosa Springs Colorado, and many places in between where they met many wonderful people who are now lifelong friends. He spent his retired years guiding hunts at many south Texas ranches, his favorite being Stone Ranch in El Indio. It was there he ran into a former ag student who hired him to fly around the United States selling fly predators. A motto Harold lived by was “If you enjoy what you do, you will never have to work a day in your life.”

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Faye and VJ Stokes; his son, Eric Shade; and his daughter-in-law, Melissa Stokes.

Harold is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Patricia; son Matthew and granddaughter Riley Stokes; daughter-in-law Kathy and son Christian Shade; brother Lynn and wife Barbara Stokes; brother-in-law Tom and wife Patty Pessing; sister-in-law Barbara and husband Ray Ogden; nieces and nephews Chris Stokes, Barby (Charlie) Koch, Wendy (Shane) McKenzie, Daniel (Stephanie) Pessing, David (Lauren) Pessing, and numerous friends who will miss him greatly, treasure his stories, and honor his legacy for years to come.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Harold’s name to the Kendall County Junior Livestock Association, PO Box 149, Boerne, TX 78006. Where he served on the Board of Directors and as a volunteer for many years.