Former Palestine resident Bob Stokes will be inducted into Colorado’s Jefferson County Schools Hall of Fame on Tuesday.

Stokes is a 1962 graduate of Westwood High School, attended Abilene Christian University and received his Master’s from Baylor University.

He is the son of Drexel Stokes, former superintendent of Woodhouse School and Westwood Schools and LaVerne Stokes, former home economics teacher who taught at both schools before becoming the home economics coordinator for Jeffco Public Schools in Golden, Colo.

“Being raised in Palestine has nothing but great memories for me,” said Stokes. “It was a great city to grow up in and many people in Palestine had a great influence on me and my desire to become a coach and teacher.

“As in all Texas towns, the sports teams were the hub of the community,” he added. “It was very important to get the opportunity to play sports and you wanted to do well in school so that you could continue to play.”

Through his 34-year Jeffco coaching career, Stokes held the title of Golden High School’s head basketball coach until his retirement in 2001. He also coached baseball, girls’ softball, golf and tennis.

Honored as Coach of the Year for basketball twice in his coaching career and Coach of the Year in softball, after his team placed second in state, he also boasts two high-school players who now work for the New York Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks.

His teaching career is just as impressive, with a focus on advanced placement social studies. After retirement, Stokes now works as a pro-shop assistant at the Fossil Trace Golf Club in Golden.

The Jeffco Hall of Fame honors retired coaches and other persons who have made an outstanding contribution to Jefferson County athletics. Jeffco Public Schools is Colorado’s largest school district with over 85,000 students.



Local resident honors veterans

Palestine resident Rudy A. Ramirez, vice-president of the Angel of Goliad Descendants Historical Preservation, presented U.S. flags and stickers to the surviving veterans of World War II, Korean and Vietnam wars at Dogwood Trails Assisted Living Community on Memorial Day.

Honored were Wesley Hart, Lloyd James, E.J. Watts, Michael Telladira, Josephine Woodward and (in absentia) Robert Steely Jr. — the son of tenant Robert Steely.

After saying the pledge of allegiance, Ramirez expressed his sincere thanks to the veterans for their service in the armed forces.

“Too many people today overlook the true meaning on this holiday — a time when we should pause to remember the men and women who died defending our country and our freedom,” Ramirez said. “We should also have a deep respect for those vets who are still living.”

Several wives of the vets who lost their lives or who are deceased gave their names, branch of service and made a few comments about their loved ones. The short presentation ended with the singing “Over There,” by Michael Telladira.

A special thanks to the “Florence Nightingale” of Dogwood Trails Assisted Living Community, Henrietta Walling, for her generosity and willingness to help others.

“We must continue to honor and salute all of our veterans, especially Vietnam veterans who have been so neglected all these years, and pray for everyone serving our country,” Ramirez said. “Our younger generations need to be made aware of what they all sacrificed for our present day freedoms that we enjoy today.”

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Mary Rainwater may be contacted via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com