John Ted Stokes

John Ted Stokes, of Uvalde, Texas, age 78, born 7/12/1948 in Mercedes, Texas, passed away suddenly on 7/19/2026 at his home in the arms of his loving wife Lucy of 54 years. He was raised in Edcouch, Texas and attended Edcouch Elsa schools, where he graduated in 1966. He attended Pan American College in Edinburg.

John Ted and Lucy were married on 6/1/1972 in Raymondville and lived in Weslaco, Edcouch, Raymondville, Bulverde, and most recently, in the hills of western Uvalde County.

Living in the hill country was his final goal in life and he achieved that in 2011. He was a great story-teller, an avid hunter and fisherman in his early years and an avid gunsmith for almost 40 years, which was the love of his life. He knew how to repair almost any gun that was brought to him and the history of every gun that has ever been made. He felt it to be his responsibility to tell any child what would listen (especially his grandkids) “No smoking, no alcohol.” His favorite subjects were geography of the world, World War II history, guns and race cars. He still had a sharp memory for places and bragged about his overall good health for his age.

He is survived by his wife Lucy of Uvalde, daughter Rebecca Kelly and son-in-law Tim Kelly, his grandkids Jack Kelly and Lillian Kelly, all of Minnesota, his brother-in-law Lloyd Burnett of Houston and sisters-in-law Marty Ramey of North Carolina, Catheran Burnett of Georgia, and Amy Burnett of Austin, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He had many beloved cousins and friends, all of which he loved dearly. He had special relationships with his hunting buddies, which included two nephews Jeff Stokes and Brazos Moffett.

He is preceded in death by his parents Jeff and Iva Lee Derr Stokes of Mercedes, his only brother Jack “Sandy”, his only sister Judy, and his beloved in-laws “Sippy” and “Tuffy” Burnett of Raymondville.

A memorial service will be held August 1 at 11:00 a.m. at the Rushing-Estes-Knowles funeral home in Uvalde with a celebration of life at the family center at the funeral home afterward. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to any no-kill animal rescue. Special thanks to the residents of County Road 408. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.