Sidney Allen Stokes [83], born July 25, 1919 in El Centro, went home to be with the Lord on June 14, 2003.

He moved to San Diego in 1923. He graduated from Brown Military Academy in 1937. He attended San Diego State College. He later worked in heavy construction on the Texoma Dam in Denison, Texas, for the E. Paul Fords Co.

Sidney met his future wife, Bonnie Jean Lindley in Wynne, Ark. The couple was married April 4, 1942, in San Diego.

He served in the Army Air Corps in WWII as a B-29 navigator and engineer. Years later he wished he had not been competent at math, which enabled him to pass the navigator's test. Those who passed the test became navigators; those who failed the test became pilots. He had wanted to be a pilot.

After leaving the service, he worked for Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Co. for 38 years before retiring in 1977.

He was a member of the Good Sam Fifth Wheel Trailer Club and College Avenue Baptist Church.

Sidney could fix, build or make practically anything. In his retirement he kept busy by building motorcycles from the frame-up. A motorcycle accident caused his wife, Bonnie, to put a stop to motorcycling, so he started on the next-smallest thing she would allow - restoring British sports cars. Over the years he rebuilt two MGs and periodically loaned them out to his grandchildren.

Sidney loved Jesus. He and Bonnie would pray together every morning. His example instilled in his children and grandchildren a love of God.

His family will see him again in heaven.

Sidney is survived by his wife of 61 years, Bonnie L. Stokes of La Mesa; son and daughter-in-law James and Barbara Stokes of Carlsbad; daughter and son-in-law JoAnne and Richard Hoy of La Mesa; grandchildren Matthew Hoy of Escondido, Rebecca Hoy Short of La Mesa, Daniel Stokes and Bonnie Stokes of Carlsbad; sisters Elsie Underwood of Nokesville, Va., and Dorothy Wiker of El Cajon.

The family suggests donations to Sharp Hospice Care, PO Box 3739, La Mesa, CA 91944.

Source: North County Times and the Weblog of Matthew Hoy