Capt. Michael J. "Mike" Stokes

Sometimes in life we come across extraordinary people who have a positive and lasting impact on everyone they meet by doing nothing more than simply being themselves. Capt. Michael J. “Mike” Stokes of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office was just that kind of person. Sadly, on Monday, August 30, 2021, Mike passed away at the Taylor Regional Hospital in Hawkinsville. At just 57 years of age, the profound loss to his family, friends, and the community he served comes far too soon. Sheriff Cullen Talton said of Mike “he was one of the finest deputies that has worked under my administration and was a supervisor who was respected and looked up to by everyone. He will be terribly missed at the Sheriff’s Office.” There is no doubt this exact sentiment will be echoed by virtually everyone who had the good fortune to know him.

Mike was the son of the late Robert Milton Stokes and Nancy Moore Hunt and grew up in Atlanta, where he played football and ran track at North Cobb High School. After graduating in 1982, he began basic training with the United States Air Force which was followed by four years in the USAF Reserve. Soon after, Mike began a 33-year career in Law Enforcement. While only one of those 33 years would be spent with Pulaski County, it is a virtual certainty that he counted it as the most important because it was during this year that he met the love of his life, Karen. Mike said immediately that he was going to marry “that girl” - and he did just that in 1989. Together they shared 32 years building a life and raising a family together. That same year, Mike took a position with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office. During his 32 years with Houston County, he served in numerous capacities. Mike spent most of his career as a Supervisor in the Traffic division. He continued rising through the ranks and later served as the Warrants/Civil Division Commander and the Sheriff’s Response Team Leader. Additionally, Mike was a highly skilled marksman who enjoyed shooting. He was a firearms instructor and served as the HCSO Firearms Training Coordinator. Mike loved and was loved by his law enforcement family. He was passionate about his career of service and his brothers and sisters in the profession.

In his off-duty hours, Mike enjoyed working on the tractor, riding horses, and working with his hands; he could build anything, and he was a perfectionist. He was also a problem-solver who could find a solution to the most difficult of challenges and was generous with his time, helping anyone he could. Additionally, Mike was a member of Christian Friends Baptist Church in Hawkinsville, where he loved his church family and served as a Deacon.

Although Mike’s resume is impressive and his interests were numerous, his faith and his family were at the center of everything. He loved his family deeply and treasured time spent together. Having them all around the table for Sunday dinners made him happy. Mike was a loving husband and father who was grounded in Christianity and who served as an example to others as to what is possible for a well-lived life. As a role model and father figure to many, his work was not only about saving lives, but also saving souls. One beautiful part of the legacy Mike leaves behind is that he was able to lead others to Jesus through the time he invested and the example he set. Mike truly “walked the walk” and in doing so he made a difference that will be felt for generations to come.

Mike is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Karen Stokes; son, Thomas Stokes (Hillary); daughters, Brittany Green (Robbie), and Michaela Stokes; 5 grandchildren, Alex, Jax, Caroline, Katelyn, and Daniel; mother, Nancy Hunt; brother, Pat Stokes (Kathy); sisters, Marsha Hartley and Pam Foreback (Doug); as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation with Mike’s family will be held from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Thursday evening, September 2, 2021, at McCullough Funeral Home. Funeral services to honor and celebrate his life will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, September 3, 2021, at Southside Baptist Church in Warner Robins. Interment will follow at Tippettville Baptist Church Cemetery in Dooly County where Capt. Stokes will be laid to rest.

For friends and family unable to attend, the service will be streamed live via the McCullough Funeral Home Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mcculloughfuneralhome/live/.

Flowers will be accepted, or the family respectfully suggests memorial donations be made in memory of Capt. Michael Stokes to the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes, 3000 Hwy 42 N, McDonough GA, 30253 or online at www.georgiasheriffsyouth.org.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.