Royal Edgar Stokely

Royal Edgar Stokely, 98, long time property owner in the Goosepond District of Oglethorpe County, died in his sleep on Feb 15 at Delmar Gardens Assisted Living Facility in Smyrna, GA. He is survived by his nephew, Charles Royal Stokely of Marietta, Georgia and his wife Ellen as well as his niece, Mary Ann Stokely Zamula of Potomac, Maryland and her husband Bill. He is also survived by great nephews Richard Charles Stokely, James Roberts Stokely, William Stokely Zamula, and great niece Margaret Ann (Meg) Zamula. He was predeceased by his wife of 42 years, Sara Reynolds Stokely. Mr. Stokely leaves behind many beloved members of the extended Stokely family as well as close friends in the Willoughby and Walden families. Those who knew him well often referred to him as the epitome of a Southern Gentleman.

Mr. Stokely was born in Lexington, GA and was raised by his parents Royal Charles Edgar Stokely and Anne Poyner Stokely in Augusta, GA where he and his brother Meral Farr attended Richmond Academy. As a teenager he caddied at Augusta National. When the Masters Tournament started in the 1930's, Mr. Stokely began purchasing tickets and was a loyal attendee each year until very recently.

For most of his 98 years, Mr. Stokely's happiest times were spent with family, friends, and hunting dogs in Crawford and Goosepond, where he frequently entertained and welcomed guests to enjoy the woods and to hunt and fish. He continued his tradition of deer hunting well into his 90s. Attending the Stokely family reunion was a highlight each year for Mr. Stokely and he has missed the annual gathering only the last couple of years.

Starting his newspaper career at the Augusta Chronicle, Mr. Stokely supervised many aspects of newspaper production and adapted to new technology as the transition was made from hot type to computer generated layout models. Edgar and his wife moved to Atlanta in the mid-1960s where he worked at the Atlanta Journal Constitution until his retirement in 1983.

A strong patriot, Mr. Stokely served as a First Sergeant in the US Army during World War II. His service in the 840th Engineer Aviation Battalion took him throughout England, France and Germany, leading troops who built and repaired landing strips for the fighter-bombers of the 9th Air Force, many in territory that had just been captured by the Allies. He stayed in touch with many of his buddies from the war, attending reunion events and corresponding with the former soldiers and later, sometimes with their widows.

When asked to what he attributed his good health and independence that extended well into his mid-90s, Mr. Stokely quoted his father by saying "Moderation in all things".
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 21, 2015 at 1PM at Lord and Stephens East Chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Crawford Cemetery.
Lord & Stephens East is in charge of arrangements.