Mirl Wynn “Coach” Stokes

Mirl Wynn “Coach” Stokes

January 12, 1933 – April 11, 2021

Mirl Wynn Stokes was born to Richard (Dick) and Lila Stokes in Almo, Idaho on January 12, 1933.

In April of 1937, the family purchased a ranch on the Lemhi River just outside the city limits in Salmon, Idaho. Wynn was raised in a loving household where hard work, ingenuity, limited resources, and commitment to family and neighbors were a way of life.

Wynn loved school. He especially excelled in athletics and activities. Wynn played football, basketball, and participated in track and field in high school and went on to play football at Ricks College. Wynn’s music interests also blossomed in high school where he sang in the school chorus and performed in operettas, and musicals. Throughout his life, Wynn often played the guitar and sang at funerals, church socials and family gatherings.

After high school, Wynn met and married Patsy Wolfley on August 28, 1952 in the Idaho Falls Temple. In March of 1953, Wynn was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War and reported to Fort Lewis, Washington. He was honorably discharged in March 1955.

That fall, Wynn was invited to referee several high school football games. These experiences renewed his interest in high school athletics that guided him to become a teacher and coach. In the Spring of 1959, Wynn graduated from BYU with a teaching certificate in secondary education.

Wynn’s first teaching job was at Duchesne, Utah. Then in 1961 Wynn had the opportunity to move closer to Salmon and took a teaching position in Rigby, Idaho. While in Rigby, Wynn became well known as an outstanding educator and winning coach. He was recognized as the Teacher of the year in 1968. Wynn enjoyed tremendous professional growth and recognition in Rigby, but at the end of the 1968 school year, he accepted a teaching and coaching job at his Alma Mater, Salmon High School, and the family moved for the last time.

Back within the halls of Salmon High School, Wynn settled into his life’s vocation of teaching and inspiring young people for the remainder of his 35 year career. Wynn loved his work and was at his very best as a teacher, motivator, and mentor of young adults. In 1975, Wynn took a sabbatical leave and entered a graduate program at Western Montana College where he also helped coach Western’s football team. He earned a Master’s Degree in 1976 and returned to his job at Salmon. Shortly after his retirement in 1994, the SHS football field was named in his honor.

Outside of school, Wynn had many interests and hobbies. He loved to build and fly radio controlled airplanes, hunt, fish, shoot, and ride motorcycles. Wynn spent many happy hours with family in the hills, on the riverbank or just being out in the beautiful surroundings of his beloved Salmon home.

Wynn was a devoted man of faith. He held a variety of church leadership assignments, served in several bishoprics, and as a member of the High Council in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Wynn and Patsy also served a Family History Church Mission in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Wynn Stokes was an honorable husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He is survived by his wife of nearly seventy years, Patsy, their 5 children Susan (Ric) Sterzer, of Rigby, Idaho, Richard (Keli) Stokes of Carson City, Nevada, Boyd (Barbara) Stokes, of Salmon, Idaho, Barbara (Blain) Bradford of Nephi, Utah, and Beverly(Donald) Cutshaw of Sandy, Utah. Wynn is also survived by his sisters, Golda Hughes and Sheila Ankrum, and his brother Clee Stokes. Wynn and Patsy have 23 grandchildren and 50 great-grandchildren.