James “Jumbo” Herbert Stoken, Jr., husband of Martin United Methodist Church pastor Maggie Stoken, died Aug. 31 after a long battle with cancer.
Born Nov. 11, 1961, in Grand Rapids, to James and Sandra Stoken, he was a proud United States Marine Corps veteran, Jumbo carried the values of a Marine throughout his life and remained faithful to God, family and friends.
He was a graduate of ITT Technical Institute and spent much of his career in the paper industry, most recently working at Western Michigan University. He proudly fathered Alyssa, Stacy, and Michael, and when he and Maggie came together, he welcomed and loved his bonus children, Sara and Haley.
Jumbo was a friend to many—childhood friends, Marine Corps brothers, Hardy Dam friends, Schnable Lake friends, pub friends, hunting buddies, Cribbage buddies, and countless others whose lives he touched. He cherished the outdoors, with a passion for hunting and fishing.
He and Maggie enjoyed vacations in Colorado hunting elk, mule deer, and even bear. He loved to fish for bluegill, smallmouth bass, walleye, and the many species they pursued during visits to Grand Isle, La. He loved his days of camping with the family and floating on the river up at Hardy Dam.
Jumbo was preceded in death by his father-James H. Stoken Sr., his brothers Greg and Chad, as well as his father-in-law Jessie, mother-in-law Bobbie, and brother-in-law Lester.
He is survived by his wife Margaret (Maggie) Stoken; his mother Sandra and his “other dad” Allen Conklin; his children Alyssa Stoken and partner TJ, Stacy Stoken, Sara Jenkins, Haley Jenkins, and Michael McCune; and his grandchildren Cody, Jaylyn, Zoe, and Zayne. He is also survived by a nephew who was like a son, Danny Landis and his daughter by heart Laura Johnson: his sister Julie, her husband Jim Rummelt; his sister Jodi, her husband Phil Mendham; siblings Koral, Dalynne, Pattie, Darren, and Mike; brothers-in-law Larry, his wife Chris Rasnake and Corbett Rasnake, OJ Moss and his wife Christy; the brothers whom he chose – including Donnie Goltz, Darren Jamieson, Brian Button, and many others.
Visitation with the family will be from 9-10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11, at the Martin United Methodist Church, 969 E. Allegan Street, Martin, MI. 49070, with a celebration of Jumbo’s life beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday. Military honors will be rendered by the United States Marine Corps and a light luncheon and time for fellowship will follow the ceremonies.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Martin & Shelbyville UMC Food Pantry.
