GARFIELD STOKES JR

Garfield Stokes, Jr. was born in Durant, Mississippi on May 28, 1950, to the proud parents of Garfield Stokes, Sr. and Ida Mae Kimbrough-Stokes. He entered God’s kingdom on November 16, 2023, at 8:29 p.m. in Dallas, Texas at the Vitas Hospital.

Garfield was best known by his family and friends as Garf, daddy, Brother-in-law, and “Halfway.” He was kind, warm-spirited, jovial, assiduous, ingenious, and loving. His comedic spirit created a lifetime of connections around the world, with his classmates, work associates, co-employees, and friends.  Garfield loved life and his social circle included his comrades in the U.S. Navy, his Brinkley Sr. High School (1968) and Jackson State University classmates, and members of the Grove Park and Cedar Crest Golf Clubs, the Cedar Hill Recreation Center, the Madison Stepper’s Horse Riders, and the Teamsters Local #745.

Garfield was an entrepreneur and a successful business owner in Logistics and Transportation. He often spoke about the skills his father instilled in him and how he was made to believe all things were possible if he believed in himself and his dreams. He was an extraordinary out-of-the-box thinker who loved math and history. His career in transportation led him to travel throughout the United States and Canada, and he was always amazed by the ocean, sea, and mountains and the world’s geographic structures.

After serving (3) years, in the U.S. Navy, Garfield returned to Jackson, Mississippi, and continued his studies at Jackson State University with a major in Business Administration. While attending Jackson State University, he worked at General Motors and with his father at Stokes Brothers Construction Company. After working with Stokes Brothers Construction for 17 years, Garfield became an over-the-road truck driver (OTD) for Consolidated Freightways and relocated to Dallas, Texas. After 22 years with Consolidated Freightways, Garfield became the Founder and CEO of Sekots G. Transportation, which led to more extensive travels throughout the United States.

Garfield found strength in being an exceptional husband and companion, father, grandfather, and best friend.  His transition will be forever mourned.  He is cherished by his wife and daughters: Dr. Patricia A. Stokes; daughters, Nigeal Stokes Fisher, Dr. Ebony Stokes, and Dr. Essence Stokes-Moore. He is esteemed by his sons, Pierre Stokes and Demothesnes Jones; and beloved by his grandchildren, Tatyana Stokes, Taylor Stokes and Christopher Stokes.

In May of 2019, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease which resulted in him retiring early in November 2019. His contemplative words were, “I thought I would never stop working [because] retirement was not a sentiment of mine.”

Garfield transitioned as he slept peacefully with a smile on his face. We are proud to have known him, loved him, and honored him.