Kyle Stokes

On Tuesday, November 9, 2021, Kyle Ward Stokes, passed the gates of heaven and the entered the arms of Jesus.

A celebration of life for Kyle will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, November 13, 2021 at First Baptist Church.

Kyle Ward Stokes was born on February 15, 1977 in Dodge City, Kansas to Larry and Tonya Stokes.  Although Kyle was not born in Texas, he got there as fast as he could.  Kyle spent his childhood in Plainview, Texas where he soon found his calling at a young age on the farm.  This is where his love for the outdoors and work ethic began.  Kyle rocked the trombone in high school as a member of the Powerhouse of the Plains band at Plainview High School.  He also excelled in 4-H through shooting sports. He was a member of the Hale County 4-H shooting sports team where he excelled at the state level multiple times in both trap and skeet shooting.  His Great-granddaddy Sawyer passed down a love of hunting both small and large game, but especially dove.  This he too shared with his boys and nephews.

After graduation from Plainview High School in 1995, Kyle attended West Texas A & M University where he studied Agri-Business.  These courses benefitted him as he returned to the family farm where he farmed with his dad growing cotton, corn, milo and wheat.  He knew every farmer and field in Northern Hale County.

Cinco de Mayo 2000 was a day that changed Kyle’s life forever, as this was when the first time he laid his eyes on Julie Beeman.  He knew she was the one God had planned for him all along and he was blessed to have her as his wife on December 23, 2000.

While in Plainview, Julie and Kyle were blessed with two sons, Rhett Isaac and Ross Elliott.  Kyle jumped right into the role of dad.  He loved his boys and anything they were excited about, he was too.

When the family moved to Roswell, Kyle quickly became a pillar of our community, mentoring youth through his boys love of sports.  Kyle’s coaching career began as a last resort phone call.  Lions Hondo Little League called one night and asked Kyle if he would be willing to coach a Tee Ball team, as there was not enough people willing to coach.  After a phone call to his father-in-law, Kyle in his usual way, said yes and the adventure began.  He spent the last 14 years, coaching Rhett, Ross and hundreds of other youth in our community.  “The heart of a volunteer is not measured in size, but by the depth of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others” and the depth of Kyle’s heart is immeasurable.  We will never know the number of lives changed in our community due to Kyle’s kindness, compassion, hard work, high expectations, and genuine love for others.

Even off the farm, his love for farming continued as he was a true utility player.  Using his skills for more than coaching, he spent countless hours improving Lions Hondo by creating better facilities for the youth. His handiwork can be seen all over including the batting cages that he spent many nights (and days) building.  He also worked to include the community in improving the facilities. His dedication to maintaining the grounds was evident in the fields of Lions Hondo, Coke Field, and his immaculate yard.

Not being from Roswell, Kyle didn’t really understand the cross town rivalry.  He saw kids, not mascots.  This was never more evident than when he led the 2019 NM State Little League Intermediate State Champions all the way to 2019 Little League Intermediate World Series in Livermore, CA.  He, along with his assistant coaches, took a team of 12 boys from across our city to be National Runners-up, uniting all of Roswell, both red and blue.

As a child, he also gave his life to Jesus.  He exampled Christ’s love in everything he did.  We are called to love God first and our neighbor as ourselves.  No one exampled this more than Kyle.  But most importantly, he wanted his sons to know Jesus as their Savior.  Two special moments were when he and Rhett were baptized together at Bottomless Lakes and standing by Ross’ side as he was baptized.

Kyle is survived by his wife, Julie and sons, Rhett and Ross Stokes.   Parents Larry and Tonya Stokes of Montgomery, TX, grandmother Melva James of Huntsville, TX, sister Kendra Hendon (Josh) and their children Piper, Everly and Knox of Montgomery, TX, brother Kory Stokes (Stacy) and their children Kaden and Ethan of Amarillo, TX, father and mother-in-law Ike and Candy Beeman of Roswell, NM, sister-in-laws Jeannie Hunter and her children Reese and Kale of Roswell, NM and Carrie Cavins (Paul) and their children Jake and Ethan of Sandusky, OH, and special sister-cousin Heidi Gray (Travis) and their children Rowdy and Luke of Hagerman, NM.

Kyle is preceded in death by his grandparents, Lowery James and Edwin and Joy Stokes.

Pallbearers:  Kory Stokes, Josh Hendon, Aaron Royal, Scott Sandlin, Sparky Harkins, Travis Gray, Aaron Bogle, Chad Holloway and Alex Palomino.

Honorary Pallbearers:  Joe Carpenter, Mike Amador, Rudy Castillo, Terry R. Johnson II, Travis Johnson, Casey Hunter , Mel Licon, Barry Mathison, the Roswell NM 2019 Little League World Series Players and Coaches, and Roswell Aces Baseball Players.

If you would like to honor Kyle’s memory, sponsor a kid to play little league (or other sport/activity), when asked to help, say yes, do something kind for someone else or get to know your neighbors.  Live your life like Kyle did, loving your neighbor as yourself.