Edwin Benjamin Stokes

Nov. 20, 1922 - Nov. 28, 2018

Born in Florence, SC on November 20, 1922, Ed “BIG ED” Stokes truly led a BIG and event-filled life. He had a passion for life like no other and is perhaps best known as the Patriarch and Founder of Diablo Foods in Lafayette, CA.

Ed passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of November 28th after spending the day surrounded by his family. Ed is survived by his beautiful wife of 70 years, Betty Jean (Ledford) Stokes; son Danny Stokes (Sibhan); daughter Connie Collier (Mike); three grandchildren: Daniel Collier (Michele), Katie Kaluza (Rick) and Charlie Kate Stokes; plus five great grandchildren, all of whom loved their “Pappau” so very much! Growing up in the depression, Ed sold newspapers on a street corner in Asheville, NC and later got his first grocery store job at age 16 at the A & P.

In 1942, Ed joined the United States Marine Corps where he was assigned to the “CIC,” Combat Information Center, aboard the USS Gilbert Islands, an aircraft carrier active in the Pacific Campaign and participated in the Battle of Okinawa. Ed’s assignment was interpreting aerial surveillance photographs to determine locations of enemy troops and supplies for targeting prior to and during the battle to take the island.

After the war and while courting Betty, Ed finished a two-year junior college program, second in his class, at Mars Hill College where he played football and basketball and followed his passion for the performing arts. He directed, produced and performed in many plays and musicals that would later help him dance and sing his way into Betty Jean Ledford’s heart . . . the love of his life.

Ed turned down a basketball scholarship to the University of Maryland and married Betty Jean in 1948. He worked in his father-inlaw’s Feed and Seed store in Asheville and for a short time, became a traveling salesman selling cosmetics and perfume along the East coast.

After Danny and Connie were born, Betty’s California itch, which began when she visited relatives in the Bay Area, motivated them to move West . . . Ed thinking ‘Hollywood’ and Betty looking to Northern California. While enroute in the Summer of 1955, they decided on the East Bay.

Ed worked heavy construction for Betty’s uncle building Nimitz Freeway overpasses until his desire for a better future moved them to Berkeley, where he attended UC Berkeley while working nights at the U-Save Grocery. He went to the store three straight days to get that job and was told there were no openings. Finally, on day four, he told the manager he could outwork any two people in the store and the Manager threw him an apron and said “prove it!” . . . and he’s been proving it ever since.

After attending UC, Ed climbed the ladder of grocery store management eventually becoming a Regional Manager for Lee Brothers Markets.

In 1968, Ed, with his big smile and Southern Charm, took a chance on opening his own store in Lafayette, CA with partner Sal Vallelunga. Sal passed in 1975 after Diablo Foods had grown to four locations, an additional one in Danville and two in Concord. The Lafayette store burned down in 1976 and Ed and Betty mortgaged everything to rebuild the store they loved.

The Lafayette location’s success inspired Ed to give back to the community that he loved so much. After moving from Hayward to Lafayette in 1969, and over the years, Ed got involved (that means REALLY involved) with Civic and Industry organizations: The Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Town Hall Theater, Northern California Grocers Association, and the California Independent Grocers Association. His energy, passion, generosity and big heart have resulted in Ed receiving many awards and accolades.

A few of Ed’s recent accolades from the Grocery Industry: Retailer of the Year (California Independent Grocers Association); #1 Specialty Food Store in Contra Costa County (Diablo Magazine); Best Independent Grocer (California Independent Grocers Association).

Recognition for his community involvement include becoming the only twotime recipient of the City’s Business Person of the Year; Lafayette Citizen of the Year; Sue Stauffer Acalanes Friend of Education Award; Soroptimists Club Humanitarian Award; Paul Harris Fellow Award by Lafayette Rotary and Marine Corps League Award. Perhaps his most cherished award came from being elected the City of Lafayette’s “Honorary Mayor” in 1993. By a proclamation in 2007, The City made his title of “Honorary Mayor” permanent.

Despite what would appear to be an all too full plate for anyone, and given Ed’s unequalled energy and passion for life, he managed to love and support family, friends, employees and strangers alike . . . and in his spare time, there were his favorite activities of softball, golf and snow skiing. Every day and every outing was celebrated and cherished by Ed like it was his first!

Ed’s passing leaves a giant void in the fabric of Lafayette and within his circle of family and friends, but his big heart and great deeds are woven permanently into the lives and memories of those he touched.

A Celebration of Ed’s Life is being planned for February. Information will be made available on the Diablo Foods website: www. diablofoods.com

Please consider donations to the following non-profit organization in lieu of flowers:

The Pitt Hopkins Research Foundation:

For online donations: www.pitthopkins.org

For mail-in donations: Pitt Hopkins Research Foundation

PO Box 6257 Plymouth, MA 02362 (Honoring Chase Edwin Collier, Ed’s 6-year-old great grandson, Daniel’s son, who is affected by this syndrome)