Ohio horseman Ron Stokley, 81, of Lebanon, passed away on Tuesday, November 29, at his residence.
Born November 3, in Middletown, Ohio, the son of the late Albert French and Viola (Foley) Stokley, Ron attended the University of Florida on a full football and basketball scholarship. He was an employee of ARMCO with eight years of service and previously trained horses for 25 years.
In 1967, Ohio's Double Z and P Stables, which included Pacey Mindlin, bought a small colt named Lightning Wave at the Tattersalls sale. On Facebook, Mindlin noted that the colt was “smaller than a pony,” but still "shocked the harness world," as he won the Ohio Standardbred at Delaware, a heat of the Little Brown Jug, and his division of the American National. "We feared no one back then as Stokley took our little band of horses to race against the best and we beat them," Mindlin wrote.
Stokley and his wife also managed the Treasure's Dust Antique Store in Lebanon for 10 years.
He was inducted into the Middletown High School Hall of Fame. He enjoyed antiquing, golfing, and was a huge sports fan.
Ron is survived by a son, Scott (Kristi), two daughters, Cindy (Larry) Tinch and Kristi Lambert; four grandchildren, Jodie, Jamie, Tara and Tyler; 12 great-grandchildren, Hannah, Hayden, Hallie, Hunter, Brycedon, Bella, Blake, Austin, Logan, Paisley, Dallas, Wyatt; and two sisters, Cora Sue Bell and Kathy Boles. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jo, in 1998, and his brother, Eddie.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 3, at noon at the Northside Baptist Church, 161 Miller Rd., Lebanon, Ohio with Todd Wright officiating. Burial North Monroe Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Saturday. If so desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Middletown High School Athletics, 601 N. Breiel Blvd., Middletown, Ohio 45402. Arrangements entrusted to the HERR-RIGGS FUNERAL HOME, 210 S. Main St., Middletown, Ohio 45044.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Ron Stokley.
(Harnessracing.com)