Roy "Coach" Taylor Stokes
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Roy Taylor "Coach" Stokes, passed to his Heavenly Father on June 7, 2022. He is survived by his devoted wife Kathy, loving son Rod, and daughter-in-law Nina, his beloved grandchildren Samantha and Luke, along with many other family members and dear friends who he loved and cherished. He was predeceased by his mother Mary E. Frandsen, Father John W. Stokes, brother Jack Stokes, sister Betsey Trantham, and stepfather Edward Stack.
Taylor was born in Orlando and spent his early years in Clermont at the Stokes homestead, Mohawk. His family moved to Temple Terrace and he became a star athlete at Hillsborough High School and led the basketball team to a state championship in 1959. He was named all-city, all-county and all-state his junior and senior years. He was named Captain of the State North/South All Star team. He was offered many college scholarships but chose the University of Florida where he lettered all 3 years. After graduation he became a teacher at Brandon High School where he was the boys basketball coach for 10 years, and the boys and girls golf coach for 25 years. He took many outstanding golf teams to the State finals. He earned a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Montevallo in Alabama and served honorably for 8 years in the National Guard.
Taylor was a sportsman and an island man having owned a home on Boca Grande and finally on Little Gasparilla Island. He was an avid boater, fisherman, SCUBA diver, lobster-seeker and spearfisherman. His diving buddies called him "King Neptune". He loved the Gulf waters, the Keys and the Caribbean islands. He and Kathy travelled to Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora to SCUBA dive. He was a runner and biker in road races. He loved to travel, especially in the Western U.S. He very gratefully received two kidney transplants from Lifelink at Tampa General Hospital.
Taylor was devoted to his family and so loved his many friends and former student athletes. He will be missed tremendously. A celebration of his life/remembrance will be held at Riverhills Country Club on July 10 at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lifelink Legacy fund, Lifepath Hospice or the Kidney Foundation.