Stoaks, Gail E.

Gail E. Stoaks, 70, of Iowa City, formerly of Vinton and Clarence, died Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010, after a courageous battle with cancer at the home of his friends and extended family in Iowa City. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, at the Welsh UCC Church in rural Iowa City with the Rev. Jerry Stevenson officiating. Inurnment will be in the Welsh Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday Welsh Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gail Stokes Memorial Fund. Arrangements are with Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service.

Gail Edward Stoaks, son of Lyle and Bernice Haas Stoaks, was born on the family farm south of Lenox, Iowa, on Feb. 15, 1940. He graduated from Lenox High School in 1958. He earned his B.A. degree from the University of Iowa in 1962, followed by graduate hours earned at Drake University.

Gail was a music teacher for the Clarence-Lowden/North Cedar Community School District for 34 years. After his retirement, Gail delivered as many as five morning paper routes near his home in Vinton.

Gail was a generous, kind, hardworking and caring man. He leaves behind two sisters, Geraldine (Jack) Jones of Lenox, and Peggy (Ray) Bradley of Trenton, Mo.; three nieces, Lesley Bradley, Jody (Steve) Gerardy and Jackie (Scott) Bryant; two nephews, Tim (Teresa) Jones and Pauley (Annette) Bradley; seven great-nieces; and two great-nephews.

Additional survivors include his “family of heart,” his self-adopted son, Gerald, aka Jerry Hall; five “grandchildren,” Stewart (Jami) Hall, David (Amanda) Hall, Gerald Hall II (Jessie), Tara Lint (Terry) and Sara Hall; and six great-grandchildren.

Gail was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

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