Notes:

Obituary:

Louis A. Kokes, 88, of San Angelo passed away Sunday, December 2, 2007, in Shannon Medical Center surrounded by family and friends. Funeral service was at 11 a.m., Wednesday, December 5 at the Wall Brethren Church. The Reverend Tommy Tallas officiated. Burial followed in Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens.

Louis was a member of Lodge 160, San Angelo.

Louis was born January 25, 1919, in Granger, Texas, on a small farm. He grew up in the Granger community and attended the Circleville School through the eight grade. Louis was baptized and confirmed in the Czech language in the Czech Moravian Church in Granger. He was drafted into the military service in 1941. He later returned home to help his family farm. In 1942, they moved to San Angelo where Louis farmed until 1951. He married Dorothy L. Drgac on November 21, 1947. They just recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

In 1951, Louis went to work for Lone Star Gas Company as a meter reader and after 32 and one-half years, he retired in 1984. Louis was a member of the Wall Brethren Church where he served on the Board of Elders, was a Sunday school teacher, song leader and a member of the Czech choir. Louis served as secretary and treasurer of the Mutual Aid Society of the Wall Local for 43 years. He also served as vice president of RVOS. He was very active and served as president of the Concho Valley Czech Heritage Society. Louis was also a member of the Downtown Lions Club. Louis' hobbies were wood and copper crafts, which he loved to work on with the help of his wife Dorothy. They entered numerous craft items in the San Angelo Rodeo exhibits. Louis also loved growing and showing his prize pecans. Louis will be greatly missed. He loved people! At home at Rio Concho Terrace, he was a friend to all. Even during his numerous hospital stays he still smiled and laughed. His happy attitude in life will not be forgotten. His love for the Lord was evident. Louis was an inspiration to all!

Louis is preceded in death by his parents; brother Frank Kokes; and sisters Mary Chasak, Emily Krupala, and Ann Gibson.

He is survived by wife Dorothy; sister-in-law Martha Kokes of Taylor; nieces Dorothy Kubacak, Marilyn Holik, Judy Holik, Lyn Hatterman, and Deborah Drgac; nephews Daniel and Gene Chasak, Robert and John Krupala and Eugene and Marvin Kokes, Larry, Garry, James, Rodney, Scott, Robert and Richard Drgac; numerous great-nieces and nephews; and many special friends.

Pallbearers were Robert and John Krupala, Alan Chasak, Eugene Kokes, Larry Drgac, Benny and Brian Holik, and Johnny Laza. Honorary pallbearers were Daniel Chasak, Marvin Kokes, Raymond Kubacak, Scott Drgac, and Stanley Holik.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Wall Brethren Church building fund; or to a favorite charity.

Arrangements were with Johnson's Funeral Home.

(Published in The SPJST Vestnik Herald on January 23, 2008)

Louis married Dorothy Lillian Drgac 21 Nov 1947, San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas, USA. Dorothy (daughter of Walter Joseph Drgac and Annie Mary Langer) was born 5 Feb 1921, Caldwell, Burleson County, Texas, USA; died 5 Nov 2017, San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas, USA; was buried 8 Nov 2017, Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens - San Angelo, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet]