Burch Patterson Stokes, of Dixon, was born on March 15, 1936, at Decatur, in Meigs County, Tennessee, a son of Burch Patterson "Buster" and Essie May (Smith) Stokes, and departed this life at 7:10 a.m., on Sunday, November 11, 2018, in the Life Care of Waynesville. He had attained the age of 82 years, 7 months, and 26 days.

Burch grew up on a small farm west of Decatur and did all the things a poor child would do during that time period which included plowing, picking cotton and strawberries, cutting timber, and working at a sawmill. Burch had two brothers, Wallace and Robert, and four sisters, Jackie, Marie, Patsy, and Angie.

In 1954, at the age of seventeen, he joined the United States Army for two years, taking his basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and then being assigned to Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, for further training. The rest of his two years was spent as a meat cutter at Fort Myer, Virginia, where he assisted with special cuts of meat for famous generals such as Major General Stokes and General Galian, prior to his discharge and returning home. Burch found that jobs were hard to find and pay was very little, so he re-enlisted in the military in 1957 at Dalton, Georgia.

He was first married in the 1950's and had four wonderful sons, Tony, Lebron, Scott, and Jeff, of which he was really proud, and being back in the military at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, as a military policeman, then to Fort Benning, Georgia, for infantry training. Burch remained in the Infantry for the rest of his career and served at duty stations in Germany, Korea, and two years in Vietnam combat.

During his military career, Burch obtained the highest enlisted rank, Command Sergeant Major, and was awarded many awards and medals including the highest peace time award given by the military. He retired in 1985 and settled near Dixon. Burch was later united in marriage to Sharon Lee Johns, who survives, and together, they enjoyed their years of retirement in the Hayden and Kenner community.

Two of the most memorable events in his life included his promotion to Command Sergeant Major and the greatest being, when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior which changed his life forever for the better. Burch enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, racing, and football, with deer hunting being his favorite, as well as wood working and gardening. Regarding his grandchildren, Burch said, "They are the best, and I sure love them a lot", and wished always for more time with them.

Visitation for CSM (Retired) Burch P. Stokes will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, in the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, 105 East Third Street, Dixon, Missouri 65459, and from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, November 14, 2018, in the Kenner Church of God, 17996 Maries Road 505, Dixon, Missouri 65459.

Funeral services for CSM (Retired) Burch P. Stokes will be conducted at 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, November 14, 2018, in the Kenner Church of God, 17996 Maries Road 505, Dixon, Missouri 65459, with Pastor Beverly Sharp officiating.

Interment, with full military honors, will be in the Kenner Cemetery, near Dixon, under the direction of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home in Dixon.

Memorials in memory of CSM (Retired) Burch P. Stokes are suggested by his family to the Kenner Church of God backpack program with envelopes available at the funeral home and church or in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box EE, Dixon, Missouri 65459.