Marion Stokes, of Madisonville, Kentucky, died February 2, 2015 at the Eddie Ballard Western Kentucky Veterans Center. Known to his friends and family as Bussy, Mr. Stokes was born in Earlington, Kentucky, September 12, 1922 and was the son of Marion and Manta Ester (Bunch) Stokes.

He graduated from Earlington High School. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Royce Bernice (Flener) Stokes, sisters Dorothy Moore of Independence, Kentucky and Ann Schaeffer of Marietta, Georgia.

He is survived by his three children, son Dennis C. (Pamela) Stokes of Memphis, Tennessee, and daughters Suanne (Chipper) Bushong of Morehead, Kentucky and Cyndi Clark of Madisonville, Kentucky. He is survived by eight grandchildren , and seven great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Stokes was a proud veteran who enlisted in the Navy in January 1941 and was at the Naval Dispensary, Portland, Maine when the war began. He volunteered to join the Fleet Marine Force and served as Pharmacist Mate First Class and laboratory technician attached to Fleet Marine Force in the Asiatic/Pacific theater, serving at the battles of New Britain and Peleliu and on board the USS Whitney (AD-4). He was recalled back into the Navy in 1950 for the Korean War. Upon his return to Madisonville he worked in the clinical lab at Hopkins County Hospital where he began the blood bank, and other lab services and then worked for 24 years as laboratory director at the Madisonville State Tuberculosis Sanitarium until it closed and he retired. Mr. Stokes was an avid gardener, fisherman, and at the age of 92 enjoyed keeping up with families and friends on the Internet and Facebook.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2015 in the chapel of Harris Funeral Home in Madisonville with Bro. Donald Bunch officiating and Ben Holloway assisting. Burial to follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Madisonville. Military honors will be conducted graveside by the United States Navy.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the service time Saturday at Harris Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made in Marion's memory to LeBonheur Children's Hospital or Baptist Health Hospice Madisonville. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.