RONALD “BIG RON” STOKES, JR. was born in Canton, Ohio on February 18, 1973.  He was the eldest child, and only son, born to parents Ronald, Sr. and Joyce (Solomon) Stokes.  Ronald went home to be with the Lord suddenly on Wednesday evening, September 28, 2011 following an extended illness while a patient at Mercy Medical Center in Canton, Ohio.
 
Big Ron, as he was affectionately called by all who knew him, attended Plain Local Schools and Canton City Schools.  He was a 1991 graduate of McKinley Senior High School where he used his athletic abilities and talents excelling in football on the varsity team as a punter and defensive tackle.  He went on to Michigan State University and continued playing football for one year.  Later, he graduated from Malone College, alongside his wife, Lori, together earning their BA degrees.  He was chosen to be inducted in the 2011 class of McKinley High School Bulldog Football Hall of Fame later this month.
 
He met Lori Jones while they were both attending high school.  She at Timken; and he at McKinley. They were married on July 10, 1993 in Canton.  To their union were born three children, and later, two foster children were added to the family.
 
He loved his family; his family loved him...always.
 
He leaves to cherish his memory:  his loving and beloved wife, Lori E. Stokes; 3 daughters, Janae, Octavia, and KeEllen; 2 sons, M'Kyei and Darius, all of the home.